Internationally-acclaimed architect Renzo Piano unveiled his plans for Valletta for City Gate, the old opera house and the new Parliament building at the launch of the project on Saturday evening.

The ceremony, which was televised live, took place outside the Museum of Archaeology and included an exposè of the project and a hand-built model of the plans.

Plans revealed how the old opera house will house an amphitheatre which will take up to 1,200 persons. Meanwhile, the new Parliament building will be on Freedom Square and it will do its utmost to reveal St James Cavalier. Plans were also unveiled for City Gate.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that the three projects are part of the government’s plans to give Valletta back the dignity it deserves and that the nation deserves.

“Valletta was built with a vision. Today, in the year 2009, we need to renew that vision…and that is why we requested the services of Renzo Piano – a personality known as one of the best architects at the moment.”

PM Gonzi said that the project will be ready before a series of celebrations starting in 2014 which is the year in which we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Independence.