This rectangular space enclosed by a low wall was constructed by
Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris in the mid17th century, for the Knights to
play a game of pallamaglio, a sort of tennis - hence the name Mall. Grand
Master Lascaris, an austere man, wished the knights to spend their energy
on lawful sports and games, rather than on wine, dice and sensual
pleasures. A Latin stanza in this sense can be seen on the archway at the
Valletta end of the Mall.
This playfield was converted into a small garden in 1805. It is
adorned with marble and bronze statuary of prominent personalities in the
fields of politics, art and philanthropy. The most important are the
full-size statue of Sir Ugo Mifsud, a former Prime Minister; the bust of
Sir Filippo Sciberras, a politician, and a bust of Sir Adrian Dingli, an
eminent jurist. Outside the entrance stands the elegant bronze figure of
'Independence', erected in 1989 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
island's independence.
The Mall is frequented by old people from Floriana, who come here
to relax and gossip under the shade of large ficus trees. After sunset the
place becomes the habitual retreat of young lovers in search of peaceful
seclusion.
