Monument to Sir Alexander Ball, Neoclassical monument in Lower Barrakka Gardens, Malta
The Monument to Sir Alexander Ball stands in the Lower Barrakka Gardens with four allegorical statues representing War, Prudence, Justice, and Immortality positioned in niches on each side of the structure. The building is set within manicured gardens overlooking the Grand Harbor, with a neoclassical design that includes a Doric portico and formal proportions.
The structure was erected in 1810 to honor Sir Alexander Ball, the first British Civil Commissioner who governed Malta from 1799 to 1809. It underwent a complete restoration in 1884 when architects Andrea Vassallo and Emanuele Luigi Galizia added inscriptions in Latin and English to the monument.
The monument displays a Doric portico modeled after Greek temples, reflecting the neoclassical taste that shaped public buildings across Malta during the 1800s. This architectural language was chosen to convey authority and lasting respect for the honored figure.
The monument sits within the Lower Barrakka Gardens accessible via paved pathways suitable for all mobility levels. The gardens are best explored in the morning when lighting is favorable for viewing the carved details and crowds are lighter.
The four allegorical figures display varying levels of sculptural detail, with each statue reflecting a different approach to stone carving that becomes especially apparent when sunlight hits them from different angles. This variation hints at the different hands and methods involved in the original 1810 commission.
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