A founder member of the Chamber of Commerce was Biagio Tagliaferro, a Genoese by birth but he settled in Malta very early during the British presence. Biagio Tagliaferro was born in Genoa 1777 into a seafaring family. The Tagliaferro's of Genoa were ship-owners and through the years the family provided many master mariners. It is not known when exactly Biagio came to Malta but in 1812 he set up the company B.Tagliaferro & Figli and he bought a fully rigged ship 'Strangier' 262 Tons in 1816, and later acquired by the family.

Biagio became very prominent to the local maritime scene and so rightly has been termed as father of Maltese maritime. It had never been Tagliaferro's intention to build up such a large fleet and some he sold or chartered to other owners, at times still under construction. 

The Crimean war brought prosperity to the Tagliaferro's and Valletta's ports. The empire that Biagio built was a family affair, trading under the name, Biagio was at the helm helping his sons Giacomo, Girolamo and Simeone all having equal shares in the company, later in 1856 Giacomo did not appear and A.G Calvocoressi appeared instead. The main administration of the business was located in Malta, while Simeone was in charge of offices in the Russian Black sea ports of Odessa and Berdiansk.  In 1859 he lost his most trusted son Simeone (only in his 30's). The Berdiansk offices were very large, whilst the Malta offices were situated at 106, St. John's square corner with Merchant Street, and it is said that the unicorn adorning the fountain near the entrance of the offices inspired Biagio's sons to adopt it as the company logo of B.Tagliaferro & Figli Bank (see left). 

It's a piece of interesting history worth noting that Palazzo Capua is first mentioned by Thomas MacGill's Handbook or guide for Strangers visiting Malta -1839, who refers to it as a fine colonnaded palace built by a Russian banker Biagio Tagliaferro who built this magnificent Palace, and the only building worth noting in the then village of Sliema .

The bankers Tagliaferro often provided funds to masters of ships to help them cover expenses during their voyage. They were usually bound to pay these back within return to port of a few days of their arrival at port. Late in November 1862 Biagio died in his Valletta home at 298 St. Paul Street and Girolamo (Count Tagliaferro) assumed the command of the family business. 

By the 19th century Tagliaferro's shipping empire came to a close concentrating on Banking and Real Estate venture, but they still maintained bunkering trade and ship agency business on a limited scale. In their own way however they continued helping local businessmen by financing new projects. Thanks to Tagliaferro, some businesses are still flourishing today.

 

 

Address

B. Tagliaferro & Sons Ltd
 62, Republic Street
Valletta VLT1117
Malta

Open to the public Monday to Wednesdays 9.00am to 12.00

 

Telephone: 356 2124 4846
Fax:           356 2124 5543

 

 

The Company B.Tagliaferro e figli was established 1812.

Directors: James Sant Fournier  Milica Micovic  Steve Sant Fournier  Fiona Cachia

E-mail: Tagliaferro

 

Some other related links: www.nationalbankofmalta.com