Two quaint seaside towns, Msida and Pieta, have seen various changes over the years.

Msida – previously a fishing village – is now much more urbanized, and has seen various changes over time – including some land reclamation, which took place where the busy Msida junction now is. It became a parish in 1867, and has since blossomed in population terms, with most recent figures suggesting that 13,713 people now live in the locality.

Pieta meanwhile is not as populous, nor even as old as Msida, but holds significant history as a locality as well. One of the most notable buildings in the locality is Villa Guardamangia, which between 1949 and 1951 hosted the then Princess Elizabeth, who then became Queen Elizabeth II, while it also hosts what used to be Malta’s national hospital – St. Luke’s Hospital. Latest figures show that 4,982 people live in the locality.

Modern photos Alenka Falzon; old photos - Malta Independent nostalgia series

Ghajn tal-Hasselin, Msida

Guardamangia from Princess Melita Hill

Msida seafront, church and police station

Villa Zammit in Pieta