St George's Square is Valletta's main open space, situated at the junction of Republic Street and Merchants Street in the heart of the city. The Grand Masters' Palace flanks one side of the square, and the square itself serves as the setting for national ceremonies — the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations take place here, as does the changing of the guard. A bronze statue of Grand Master Jean de la Valette stands at one end.
The square is always animated: cafe tables spill out from the surrounding buildings, tourists stop to photograph the palace facade, and locals cut through on their way elsewhere. The Grandmaster's Casino, a historic gaming house now used as a conference venue, faces the square from the southern side. In the evening the square is well-lit and lively, with a relaxed atmosphere quite different from many European capital city central squares.