CASINO MALTESE
Brief history of the Club

The first document relating to the founding of the "Casino Maltese" (hereinafter called the Club) refers to the inauguration date of 1st March 1852. However, as regards to the premises it was in 1859 that members moved and made use of the premises at 247 Republic Street Valletta. 

The Club is considered as a living society of prestige, a national institution and forms part of Malta's history. It's present premises serving on occasions as the town hall of the Capital city, Valletta. The Clubs motto is "Omnibus Idem", and has the social gathering and entertainment of members as the main purpose for its excistance.

During the rule of the Order of St. John the premises had been used as the "Casa Del Commun Tesoro" (literally the House of the National Treasurer), but only accounts, contracts and records of the treasury were kept. During the early days of British rule the premises housed the Chief Secretary's Office, Government Treasury, the British packet office and later converted into a Hotel. 

In fact it was during the late 1800's the building was used as a Hotel, called "The Grand Hotel". It was later taken over by the Casino Maltese and modified in 1914 under the direction of the Architect Nicola Buhagiar.

Despite sustaining extensive damamge during World war 2, many members many in uniform spurred by the spirit wrote the word "Resurgam" on a board and carried on defiantly. 

Unfortunately in an air raid of 15th February 1942 some members of staff lost their lives.

Over the years the Club enjoyed the privilege of having welcomed many a distinguished visitor, of these the Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Windsor, Emperor Hiroshito of Japan, all of which have been recorded.

Two marble tablets record the names of past President s and any distinguished visitor to the Club.

The Club also runs a smaller premises at No. 70 Tower Road Sliema, although smaller it has adequate facilities such as billiards , card room and other indoor games. 

Both Clubs boast various entertainment activities, from Billiards, Lounge area's, Reading rooms, and other indoor games, open all day & evenings, with the restaurant serving lunches (Monday to Friday and Sunday).

The Club has reciprocal agreements with similar Clubs that exist in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Holland and Spain.

Another interesting feature of the Casino Maltese - The Sundial

A Sundial was contracted on Republic Street, in the heart of the city. The face (6.1m x 1.9m, pictured left) includes an Analemma* and Zodiacal signs. It marks only noon time. This is on the façade balcony of a building of the Casino Maltese, close to the palace of the Grand Masters. Its designer was Rev. George Fenech who constructed quite a few sundials across Malta. The original was destroyed when the wall collapsed through enemy action in the Second World War.

* The Analemma is the curve having the shape of an elongated figure of 8, made up of 12 sections representing the months of the year.