War Memorial, Floriana: A Silent Witness to History

Located in Floriana, the War Memorial is a powerful monument commemorating the dead of World War I and World War II. Inaugurated in 1938 to honor those who perished in the First World War, it was rededicated in 1949 to include the fallen of the Second World War. Designed by Maltese artist Louis Naudi, the memorial is an obelisk in the form of a Latin cross, constructed from local globigerina limestone.The memorial features four plaques displaying the colonial badge of Malta, reproductions of King George V's 1918 document acknowledging Malta's role in World War I, King George VI's 1942 letter awarding the George Cross to Malta, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1943 scroll saluting Malta's contribution to World War II. The monument stands on a site once used for public executions during Hospitaller rule. Its design, influenced by Futurism and Art Deco, makes it a unique piece of Maltese art.The War Memorial has undergone several changes throughout its history. Originally located between City Gate and Ġlormu Cassar Avenue, it was moved during the realignment of St. Anne Street in 1954. Restored in the early 2010s, an eternal flame was added to the site. Today, the memorial is a Grade 1 national monument where annual remembrance ceremonies are held.