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AUD 2201 Studies in Maltese Architecture

D. De Lucca

Lecture 1: 08/10/2012

http://www.heritagemalta.org/home.html Best site for information on Heritage of the Maltese


Islands

Malta has two golden ages:


1st Golden Age - Prehistoric Period a number of Megalithic Buildings (megalithic means big stones)
appeared on the Maltese Islands
2nd Golden Age 16th & 17th century when Baroque Architecture surfaced on the Maltese Islands

Video showing the temple of Tarxien, Ggantija, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra

Discuss the chronology of these structures in terms of time.


There are 23 identified Prehistoric Temples in the Maltese Islands

Neolithic (People from the East)


This period represents the first human occupation of the island Cave Dwellings
Ghar Dalam: 5000-4500 BC
Grey Skorba: 4500 4400 BC
o Remains were found in this area near Tarxien of mud brick
Red Skorba: 4400 4100 BC
In these three periods Huts and Shrines were used.
Huts at skorba: Mud brick was used above the roofing structure. This signifies that the first inhabitants
either came from the east or had travelled to the east beforehand.

The Temple Period, when things start to change (People from Sicily)
Zebbug: 4100 3800 BC
Mgarr: 3800 3600 BC
Ggantija: 3600 3000 BC
Saflieni: 3300 3000 BC
Tarxien: 3500 2500 BC
In these period, Temples and Tombs were being constructed. New people arrived in Malta (they
arrived mainly from Sicily , Calabria) People were still living in villages but started building large
monuments; these are the megalithic temples.
There was a gradual change in the construction of temples. We can divide the Temples into 2 phases:
the old temples in Skorba and Zebbug and the more sophisticated temples like Tarxien and Ggantija.

The Bronze Age (People from Italy)


Tarxien Cemetery: 2000 1500 BC, Conversion of temples into dwellings, Dolmens
Borg in-Nadur: 1500 600 BC, Villages with defensive walls
Bahrija: 1000 600 BC, Villages on High Grounds

Maltese prehistory lasted for a good 5000 years

Classical Civilisation
Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman, The Towns of Melite

Ghar Dalam Cave of Darkness

In the period of Ghar Dalam, the Islands environment (landscape and fauna) was very different than
todays.
Video showing Ghar Dalam Cave and Museum
Info about Ghar Dalam
http://www.heritagemalta.org/sites/ghardalamcave/ghardalamcaveinfo.html
Malta had a rain age instead of an ice age
Was connected to the main land
Still an open discussion about the period during which man came to Malta. It could be that man
was already living here long before the Stone Age because it was discovered that these remains
are of those people that lived in the cave.
Ghar Dalam is a very deep cave at which Neolithic man searched for a protection from the
elements and animals. Man sought these type of caves as they believed that such deep caves
would offer them better shelter and protection.
Conical structures on the ceilings as a result of water under pressure.
At Ghar Dalam, one can find different layers in a sequence of animals findings
Ghar Dalam represents the beginning of maltases history

Prehistoric Temple Layout


http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/malta/malta.html
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/malta/
Showing the different ways the layout advanced through time starting with an abnormal layout,
followed by 3 apse layout, 5 apse layout and more
Symmetrical kind of thinking in such plans
Skorba temple three-foil temple which later developed into a four-apse temple.
Monument scale buildings like Ggantija, have a curved facade outside (maybe a space for rituals
to take place).
Upon entering the temple the visitor is presented with two apses (paths) to go through.

Ggantija Temples Video


http://www.heritagemalta.org/sites/ggantija/ggantijainfo.html
By its own name it means big stones
Important symmetry and rough stone represent the first monumental building in the
island of Malta. The first Megalithic building.
It is the oldest free standing monument in the world.
People at that time had mastered crafting. They had limited resources (stone, clay and
water) yet they still managed to come up with techniques to help them make use of the
local materials.
Different quality of stone used, depending on the use
Accommodated performances connected to a religious figure
The entrance path leads to several apses, however, this is done in such a way that one
can only see the corridor from outside. In order for a person to explore it he has to
enter the apses to see the chambers on the inner side
People who had knowledge about the material they used and the limitation that each
material can give to the user would build the chamber according to its intended
function.
These monuments might have been roofed over
Large stones carved at the entrance where used to reflect the light into the building

Hagar Qim
Mnajdra

Hypogeum Temples Hal Saflieni Temples in Paola


http://www.heritagemalta.org/sites/sites.html

It is another important megalithic structure in our architecture when considering detailing and
roofing
Excavating a site was very difficult if you didnt have the proper tools. It was very risky and
difficult due to fissures in the rock.
However in 3,000BC the inhabitants of the Hypogeum had the guts to still excavate the area and
they managed to construct a whole underground complex divided into 3 levels.
The detail in which way it was constructed; for example there is a recess between the vertical
elements and the horizontal elements such a line of definition between two connecting
elements increases the aesthetical value
Domed ceiling
Such detailing gives a very magnificent architecture finish
Symmetry of design
Type of decoration used in the hypogeum
A way of corbelling was used to roof over the structure by projecting the upper stone layer
further out then the lower stone layer, till it closes the ceiling by large stone like flat slabs
(xorok)
Sound can travel trough niches in wall and the sound can travel to the other side of the temples.
Standing waves were created through these niches but these are only speculations
This temple is one of the largest in Malta which has a symmetric layout of 6 apse
Look at Susanne Psaila 3d projects on archaeological site
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqzpwcv6SeA,
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120812/local/-agar-Qim-temple-as-it-was-
5-000-years-ago.432456
They could be roofed over with wood but other think that they where roofed with stone

Lecture 2: 15/10/2012

Bronze Age
Those people that came from southern Sicily started to use the megalithic monuments as
dwellings
Bronze Age people came to Malta and started living in megalithic structures and converted them
into dwellings.
They were a primitive culture, rather than a temple culture
Contributed to construction (introduced new techniques)
Issue of building burial monuments for important people was given a higher note of importance
Dolmen monuments started being built at this period (early bronze age)
Later Bronze Age, settlements where characterised by fortified settlements (glorified rubble
walls) Borg in-Nadur fortified village at nuffara
o Wall built around settlements
o Within Walls
Number of huts
Silo fragments and wells
In 800 BC, at Bahrija:
o Bronze Age settlers came into contact with Phoenicians (the Phoenicians were
characterising the Mediterranean Sea)
Life in later prehistoric Malta was characterised by these fortified settlements all across Malta.
These settlements also had water and grain cylos

Phoenicians trading stages


The Phoenicians were establishing trade routes along the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
In 600BC, Phoenician trading ships could be seen moored to the berthing areas of the Maltese
Islands
Classical culture of Malta starts with Phoenicians
Through these trading stations, Phoenicians established their presence with the Bronze Age
People in Malta
Phoenicians found also the city of Carthage in Tunisia, which later became a very important city

Carthage
Carthage was a large city which was inhabited by the Phoenicians started sending inhabitants
to Malta
The Punic culture had long lasting effects on the Maltese culture
o When St. Paul came to Malta, he reported that the people living on the Maltese Islands at
that time were barbarians. This is because he was seeing the resemblance that the
Maltese were sharing with the Carthaginians, especially the language.
o For 1000 years culture, buildings and towns remained based on Punic influence
o The influence of this Punic culture, left on buildings and towns, is reflected in their design
process
Carthage was the first most dominant naval power it had a large arsenal were war ships could
be repaired or built from scratch (Carthage 3D video)
Three important cities, Carthage, Siracusa and Rome
The harbour was very important for Carthage. It was the heart of Carthage, both mility and
commercial.
Several pictures showing different Punic tombs found around the Maltese islands
Video of the outskirts of Carthage city showing several Punic tombs with couple of stairs going
down and then into another room where the dead used to be buried along with other material as
they used to do in ancient Egypt
Roman Domus in Mdina, during excavation works several tombs were found. The plan of the
roman villa shows the ancient Carthaginian town. This plan shows street layout and houses with
stairs suggesting that they lead to another floor
Later, these houses where used to store military artillery
This Carthaginian town (Melite) was large and incorporated the Mdina area and the Rabat area
up to the St. Pauls Church
o The town was developed and houses were built based on the Greco-Roman style
This shows the importation of architecture from Ancient Greece (Doric, ionic
Corinthian, etc)
Book written by Thomas Ashbey about Roman Malta

Video about the City of Carthage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthage

218BC Romans arrived in Malta


Malta became a Roman Municipal
Contributed in the kind of statuary and artefacts we find across the Maltese islands
The Romans rehabilitated the old Carthaginian town of Melite into todays Mdina
A number of dwellings were built
Started with the Roman Domus, a Roman Town House. The Romans amended the old
Carthaginian house or part of it into a roman town house
The architecture of this villa shows us what was happening in the city of Rome clearly shows
the influence of Greek architecture in Rome. Another feature which reflects this fact is the
mosaic flooring.
The level of the Romans town is at an average of 4m below the existing level of Mdina today
Usually, when a city is built or enlarged, they would reuse the existing foundations of the old
city.
Behind the existing Casino Nobile in Saqajja near the Ta Tarag Bar, there are remains of the
walls from the Carthaginian Town
The Church of St. Pauls is built just in the ditch that marked the edge of the city of Melite
At that time, further Roman country houses were being found around the Maltese landscape,
one of which is the famous Tal-Kaccatura, in Birzebbugia. From this house only the foundation
remained in place since at that time the stone was used to build retaining walls
Another Roman country house is located at Ramla Bay in Gozo, but again, only the foundations
is visible
Another site is in San Pawl Milqi, at Burmarrad, showing the remains of another roman country
house. The existing church can be the 3 rd layer of a church which was build to commemorate the
arrival of St. Paul. They say that St. Paul was hosted at this villa

Lecture 3: 22/10/2012

Theme of the day: Medieval Malta


Few remains were found
This is because the stone was recycled and integrated within the new construction (mostly
during the time of the knights)
Our medieval architecture mostly happened in Mdina
But a violent earthquake hit the Mdina city and most of the structures collapsed
The remains of the cathedral were found in the ditch
In Medieval times there was a stronghold (castle) in the harbour
Hamlets which originated from the 13th century were found in the 14th century

The arrival of St. Pauls in Malta


Our transition from the Roman era to the Medieval era took place when St Paul arrived in Malta
and established Christianity on the islands
During the Medieval times the tradition of catacomb burials, which was originally introduced to
us by the Carthaginians, was firmly established. This is because Christian Rituals considered
burials as an important event in life
These catacombs still exists today
The first catacomb appeared in the 4th Century, well after St.
Pauls left Malta
These catacombs are the remains of the medieval architecture in
Malta and signify an underground burial ritual which persisted
through medieval time
Curved arch feature in catacomb:

Several catacombs around the island


o The Tar-Raham, Mgarr
o Ta Bistra in Mosta
o Mintna in Mqabba
o Salina, Naxxar
o St. Agatha in Rabat
533AD The byzantine general Benizarius, on his way landed in Malta and established a
byzantine period (at that time there was chaos in Malta as Roman rule had ended)
592AD a bishop was set in Malta
Nothing is left from the rule of the Muslims, only a document in Palermo, Sicily was found which
stated that there was something happening in Malta regarding the rule of the Muslims
Mdina in the early Medieval Period:
o Mdina was used by the Muslim governor
o Mdina was joined with Rabat during the Roman Era under the name of Melite; the city
was used by the Muslims during the medieval period
o Mdina of that time was different than the Mdina of today; what we have today is the
result of the Knights work
o It had a structure that reflected the byzantine architecture Inner and Outer Wall
o The Knights reinforced further those double walls by means of a stronghold. Today one
can still see the old walls from the Muslim period
o Gates protected by large towers
o Castle of the Towers
o The main entrance was constructed according to the medieval system, i.e. the market
area was placed close to the entrance (like Muslim Cities)
o The Main Gate was called Greeks Gate because it was thought that a Greek Community
lived close to this gate
Mdina was very different:
o It was not capable of resisting artillery fire
o The knights modified this and made it strong enough to resist artillery (the present day
Mdina)

A panorama of the fortifications in the medieval time

A video about Fort St. Angelo (Stephen Spiteri 3D reconstruction video)


From Castrum Maris to Fort St. Angelo 1530, 1565, 1670+
A reconstruction of the fort in 3d if one would exist in the 14th century
Fortification stiffened by towers and walls
Built from materials which parish with time
Town content of Mdina during the medieval time
1593 earthquake shock destroyed most parts of Mdina
This was then reconstructed in the baroque style
The cathedral was replaced,
Part of main street (Called Strada Reale) was also replaced
Along Main Street:
o Armoury
o Offices of University
o Private Houses
o Private Houses
o Claustrophobic attitude towards planning (narrow streets which resulted in buildings
being too close to each other)
12 different chapels, some are still there, others were changed in residences
The first cathedral was a rectangle shape, then this was added other side chapels and extension
to it plus a tower done during the 13th and 14th centuries
After the 1693 earthquake, the current cathedral was built
The cathedral of Catania was similar to the one in Mdina, this was also destroyed by the
earthquake
Labyrinth layout, this was a strategic military thing. A narrow street is much more better to be
defended rather than wide street
Mdina has two sides, the old part which has narrow roads and alleys and the new part which was
reconstructed after the earthquake which are on the other side of strada reale..
Nothing survived of the Norman and Muslin architecture
The houses build are with Catalano style, build around a court yard and details in them
concerned with the gothic arch
These are some of the buildings that survived
o Casa Aragona
o Another in St. Nicholas Street, nr 6
o Inguanes Street
o Palazzo Santa Soffia (1233), upper floor was build later
o Palazzo Gatto Murina (gothic ciaramonte window)
o Palazzo Falsone (same with gothic ciaramonte style)

Mdina was the focus of the medieval period of Malta.


Most of the attacks on the Hamlets where done by Muslins from the northern beaches, as beaching of
vessels were easier at this part of the island.
Hal-Millieri Church
was restored lately, a one roomed chapel containing several moulds of gothic ciaramonte style
moulds
constructed in stone, gothic arch type
it also has some paintings which were done by passing by artists as this was renowned in the
14th and 15th century

Santa Marija of Bir Miftuh


larger in size
early 16th century

Lecture 4: 29/10/2012

Sixteenth Century Malta

This is a very interesting century because an event which transpired


in the morning of the 26 th October 1520; Philippe Villiers de lIsle
Adam arrived in Malta
This grandmaster was sent, on board a grand kayak of Rhodes, to
appoint Malta the task of defending his southern part of the empire
from the Turks
During the 16th century, architecture of Malta changed:
o The method of construction used by the Knights of St John was adapted to Maltese
buildings as well; this can be mostly seen in the fortifications
o Urbanism in Malta was resurrected by the Knights of St John
1530 is an important date
o Martin Luther Era (famous report of Martin Luther against Catholic churches)
Following this report, Europe was split into two parts: The Protestants and The
Catholics
o The sack of Rome also took place during this date; Following this event, the Knights of St
John were entrusted to protect the Pope
o The emperor Charles the fifth handed over Malta to the knights of St. John. They
accepted the castle of Tripoli and Malta as their new home. When they arrived in Malta,
the island was not in a good state as, for example, only 20 dwellings where liveable in
Mdina. Soon after their arrival in Malta, they reconstructed the ruined buildings and
fortified the island. The Knights stayed for 268 years, transforming what they called
"merely a rock of soft sandstone" into a flourishing island with mighty defences and a
capital city (Valletta) known as Superbissima, "Most Proud", amongst the great powers of
Europe.
o Henry 8th and Pope Clement had a dispute which led to the declaration of England as an
independent religious state from the Church of Rome
o The Siege of Vienna - Suleiman The Magnificent was arch enemy of LIsle Adam. This
kicked out the Knights of St John from Rhodes
The art of Michelangelo Buonarroti reflected these troubled times which Europe was going
through in the 1500s. This type of disturbed art replaced the characteristic serenity of
Renaissance art The painting of the last judgement

A video showing who the knight s of St, John are.


They had 56 castles
From a hospital organisation (Hospitaller Order) to a massive war order
In Rhodes the knights managed to build a navy and to experiment with medieval castles which
they would convert into a military strong hold by using canons and gun powder
o These are two important Milestones for the Knights before they arrived in Malta
Check the book, fortresses of the knights by Stephen Spiteri

Grand masters of the hospitaller order in 16 th century Malta (Each Grand Master had his own coat of
arms which would be based on his notable works):
Phillipe De Villeire
Pierinoo del Ponte
Sant jaille
Homedes
Claude de la Senglea
Jean Perisot de la Vallette
Pietro del Monte
Cassiere
Verdale
Martin Garzes

A new system of Military Architecture was developed by the Knights which could provide
resistance to gunfire (At that time gun fire had started to be a common form of attack during a war) -
The round towers of a fortress were evolved into the bastions that we know today following a star
shape which had no blind spots within the bastions walls. When Lisle Adam arrived in Malta he found
this system implemented in Mdina.

In 1537, Ottoman fleets won the Prevenza sea battle and then started to attack small islands. The
knights panicked and wanted to fortify Malta, especially the grand harbour of Malta
Castrum Maris was reconstructed into Fort St Angelo
Insertion of new buildings in Birgu and further fortification
Insertion of new building in Senglea
Enforcement of height of Schiberras

1st they started to reinforce Castro Maris into todays Fort St. Angelo

2nd, Reinforced Fort St. Elmo


In its design, it had many faults. Narrow ditch and narrow bastions with an acute angle bastions which
was difficult to manoeuvre in a space that was limited by the design it self
Forte St Michael was the 3rd structure that was build or reinforced before the great siege

Birgu was used to hospitalize the grand masters and therefore they added Auberge to the existing
hamlet, moreover this was used as naval arsenal storage and also to repair ships. Then, an upfront
bastion was added to protect the new buildings

Lecture 5: 05/11/2012
16th century arrival of the Knights of St.John.
Birgu

For the Knights Birgu was an important location, not only due to the rapid rehabilitation of St
Elmo, but also due to its Roman Heritage. Birgu was important for the Knights because of its i)
waterfront which contained the arsenal of the Knights, ii) Landfront fortification (curtain walls
and bastions), iii) the insertion of a number of new buildings such as a hospital, auberges and
churches. The urban fabric of Birgu transformed from a medieval city to a renaissance type of
city.

3 points of interest in Birgu:


Land front fortifications New method of fortification first seen in Birgu: curtain wall and
bastions
Arsenal of the Knights
Insertion of new buildings: Hospital, Auberges, church

Arsenal of Knights
3 arch potico - ships would be repaired in one of these 3 porticos.
Has been replaced by a bakery which was built by the British
3 arched portico where war galleys returning from battle were directed into these arches and
repaired
Similar to Arsenale di Venezia

Land front fortifications


Most primitive landfront which was created by Ferramolino, consisted of 2 basic elements, the
curtain walls and the projected bastions.
Joined at one end to Margerita lines, which led to Bormla
Had cavalier structures
Ditch detached Birgu from the surrounding land
First examples of Bastions built in Malta
Different from the bastions which were later built: Bastions at Birgu were high and robust

Urban Contents of Birgu


Labyrinth quality unlike Valletta.
Built based on a pre-existing medieval village
Type of architecture and moulding were newly introduced
Mouldings (decorations at the window)
o Ordered
o Symmetrical
o Influences from Rhodes and Renaissance Italy
o The Auberges of the Knights served as a headquarters and as a place for all the knights
to meet. They were not used as a hotel for the knights. They were later used as an old
peoples home
The Knights inserted new buildings in the perimeter of Birgu, which was enclosed by bastions
now with hospitals, Auberge and churches
This was done with new renaissance architecture

Birgu Arsenal of the Knights


This was destroyed
It was used as a ship repair
Ships coming in stopped at the arsenal for repair

The new front bastions for Birgu


The first one in Malta (1588) together with the bastions added at Mdina
Was created by Antonio Ferramolino da Bergamo
When the Knights arrived in Malta, they had not yet appointed a city which would be referred to
by everyone as theirs (as they had done in Rhodes). Therefore they fortified Birgu, fortified St.
Angelo and started to build within the existing fabric of Birgu, the buildings they needed such as
hospitals, Auberge etc
During the construction of the first buildings of the Knights there was also a change in
architecture:
o the stairs were moved to the inside of the building rather than its previous location which
was in the yard
o the central yard was shifted to the back of the building in order to make more space for
the required use of the building.
The first elderly homes were also introduced by the knights, older knights were kept at the
Auberges

The Turkish Siege 1565 (Book: Siege of Malta)


When all this was finished, Malta was attached by the Turks
During the Turkish Siege, the main fortifications were: Fort St Elmo, Fort St Michael, Fort St
Angelo, and Tigne Point
After this, locations which were weak such as Schiberras Hill (where Valletta was built), Bigi site
and Corradino Site, were reinforced with the Margerita Lines and Corradino Lines along with the
construction of Valletta
The attack of the Turks on Malta, by Suleiman. The Turks wanted to use Malta to help them
conquer Rome, by sending a wave of soldiers from Vienna and another from Malta, thus they
would be enclosing Rome from both sides. However this never happened as the Turks failed in
conquering Malta
Who was Suleiman the Magnificent
The Turks had their own characteristic attack which would usually earn them the triumphant
cards: they would dig mines under the bastions, plant bombs along these mines and finally they
would blow everything up. In the case of Malta this attack could not be done as our rock is very
hard and at that time they did not have the appropriate tools to excavate such rock

Foundation Ceremony
The Foundation of Valletta took place in a spirit of triumph
The foundation stone of Valletta was ceremoniously laid by the Grand Master Fra Jean de Valette
of the hospitaller order of St. John the Baptist at forty two minutes to noon, on the 28 th march
1566, this according to the......
The laying of the foundation stone of Valletta concluded a long ceremony which had started
earlier on in the day when the Grand Master accompanied by the Bishop of Malta....

Fortification of Valletta
Book by Roger Degiorgio
High, massive
Follows the style of Birgu - cavalier, ditch, 2 main bastions, 2 corner bastions
In 1577 La Vallette was elected as Grand Master and he brought military engineer Bartolommeo
Genga to further construct Valletta and to construct two other fortified cities (one in Malta and
the other in Gozo)
When Francesco Laparelli arrived in Malta he examined existing surveys and drew up a report on
what he intended to do. After just 3 months of hard word work he had already finalised his
plans. The construction were very fast as they were afraid of another siege attack on Malta by
the Turks (At that time siege attacks were very common)
Laparelli came up with 4 plans for Valletta:
o Plan A: Fortification Layout; Main Street connected to Main Gate; No urban development
o Plan B: 1st drawing to reveal Laparellis change of thought; Buildings had to indicate what
they were used for Palace of Grand Master had to be a great building, Auberges had to
have a square in front of them
o Plan C: Shows the grid-iron pattern; Shows also the collaquio between Bakery Street and
Merchant Street (a convent for the Knights)
o Plan D: More streets were added; The plan which has been built
Valletta had an initial plan like Palmanova City, a circular plan with street joining at the middle
piazza
Bartolommeo Genga had proposed a radial system of streets. This was replaced by a grid-iron network
of streets. This happened as a result of the influence from Piero Cataneos plans (fortified cities based
on a rectangular shape rather than a pointed shape). There was also influence from Pietro di Prados
plans of Carlentini city grid-iron network and rectangular plan which together offered an easier way
for transport

Very good book: Birgu, a Maltese Maritime City by Lino Bugeja, Mario Bugeja and Stanley Fiorini

Lecture 6:19/11/2012

The theme of today is the construction of Valletta


After the great siege, the Turks where reinforcing their army and this urged the Knights to build a
city, a fortified city to enforce Malta
Valletta a direct response from what had happened during the Great Siege of Malta. It was
known that the Turks would double their effort to penetrate Europe during 1566.
The building of Valletta was based on an ideology of what cities should look like; in fact,
following the construction of Valletta, many other cities followed the rectangular plan of Valletta.
The first fortification to be constructed was the ditch
The early concept was based on the shape of a star (The city of Palmanova and the City of
Nicosia based on the radial plan)
All this changed when Laparelli came to Malta. The reason being architects where arguing that
the rectangular grid plan was more suitable (the city of Carlentini in Sicily was planned following
the orthogonal plan)
Bartolomeo Genga and Baldassare Lanci dUrbino star shape plan, following the Italian
visionary Antonio Averlinos Sforzinda
Laparellli, changed the star shape type of planning to a grid type of planning, since most Italian
architects were against the acute angle type of building and went more about the rectangular
plan
There was also the King of Spain who legislated that cities are build following a grid plan
Plan of city of Carlentini in Sicily, in the 1550s
Pietro Cataneo, have an octagonal form of planning
Wide streets, to facilitates the move of artillery and armys
Also, wide streets were believed to be the best remedy to avoid the spread of plague
The knights where obsessed with laws especially those regarding planning of houses and
therefore they established the Mepa of that time, which they called Ufficju delle Case
The grand masters palace was supposed to be constructed where there is Kastilja today, then it
was decided to build it where is today in Pjazza San Gorg
1569, Ufficju delle Case issued some terms and conditions:

The city was divided into two areas


(i) Collachio, to be reserved for the residence of the religions of the order and the rest of the
area, outside the Collachio, was dedicated for the general public. The military was however
against the idea of having a Collachio, the reason being that since Valletta was rectangular
anything could impede communication between the fortresses. Both of these areas had to
conform with the following conditions, the right, however, being reserved to locate within the
Collachio other buildings as may be required by the religion, such as churches, infirmary, the
grand masters residence, the treasury, the chancellery, the bakery, the arsenal as well as other
building (this idea was not done).
o Persons acquiring building sites in the city shall pay for these on the basis of a valuation
with which the former owners shall also have agreed. No perpetual ground rents shall be
imposed on these sites.
o Public roads shall remain unencumbered by steps or such other permanent forms of
construction as may interrupt the flow of traffic or detract from the beauty of the streets.
Such obstructions (if erected) shall be removed as the expense of the owner
The aesthetic consideration here is echoed by the need to keep the roads clear of
any obstruction which may interfere with rapid passage of troops and heavy
artillery from one side of the city to the other
o No garden or other open space shall be permitted along the street front. Any so formed
shall be removed at the expense of the owner
It would seem here again the consideration was purely military. Open areas set
back from building line could have provided hidden cover for invading enemy
troops
o Construction works shall commence within six months of the date of the acquisition of
the site and be completed within twelve months thereof whatever the physical properties
of the site. The sum agreed to by notarial deed shall be spent as a minimum in the
construction of the house. Failure to commence works within six months, or to utilize the
building for habitation shall incur forfeiture both of the building as well as of the site.
Failure to spend as a minimum the sum agreed in the notarial deed with in a period of the
three years
In response to Turkish threats to again invade Malta
o Every house shall contain an underground tank for the collection of rain water as well as
a place for the collecting of foul water under penalty of fifty scudi for failure to comply
Each house had to rely mainly on rain for supply of water and on water vendor
who, until completion of the Wignacourt Acqueduct in 1615, was always on hand
to provide most of the drinking water
o Owners of houses erected within the Collachio area shall rent a house only to the
religious of the order with whom a rent may be negotiate with in any restriction
o Owners of houses sited on corner plots shall undertake to set up a some form of
permanent decorative feature in such a corners, failure to comply with which shall entail
the demolition of the house eat the expense of the owner
The aesthetic consideration once again prevails and to this day some of the
original buildings still standing display this feature
o No work shall be undertaken in hand without the prior appointment of a capo maestro
whose service shall be paid for by the owner of the plot
The employment of a Capo Mastro was made compulsory at least in so far as the
exterior facade was concerned, undoubtedly to endure that the exterior effect at
least was aesthetically pleasing
o No transfer of land shall be effected without the knowledge and consent of the special
commission appointed for this purpose and this subject to a penalty of double the value
of the site
o Provision shall be made in the foundation of the house for a connection to the public
sewer into which shall flow all foul and waste water, subject again to a penalty of fifty
scudi payable to the treasure of the order for non-compliance
o Stone shall be obtained by the Mandragio area. Stone recover from the digging of the
water cistern may also be sued for this purpose
This was the way to ensure that Manderaggio was formed in the most economical
and quickest way
o Site for building purposes shall be allocate in consideration of the official and financial
position of the would be purchaser
Only in this way could the order ensure that certain parts of the city were
occupied bypersons who could well afford to erect houses of expensive
architectural merit. This particular clause was therefore intended to make it
possible for the best result obtained.

Result of these regulations A first class city of that age; Buildings within Valletta:
Rebuilt Fort St Elmo
Unencumbered streets
The Magisterial Palace
The Church of St. John the Baptise
The Grand Hospital
The Auberge of Aragona
The Auberge of Alemagne
The Auberge of Auvergne
The Auberge of Provence
The new Auberge de France
The old Auberge de France
The Auberge of Italia
The Auberge of castile
The Domus Angliae
The prior of Navarre
The artillery factory
The gun powder factory
The foundry
A guard room with underlying rooms
Barracks buildings
The Cammaratta
The salves prison
The bakery
The Casttellania (Administrative)
Cancelleria (Administrative)
The Case del Tesoro
The Casa delle Conservatoria
Stores
Jesuit Church and Village
Church of Our Ladies of Victories
The residence for the grand masters page boys
The customs house
Etc

St. John the Baptist Church


Difference between the inside and the outside
If you were to remove some architectural features (portico and architecture at the sides) you will
have a bland building not very decorative, simple and free from ornaments
The portico was added later in the 17th Century by Michelangelo
Even from the inside, it was bland, just stone for 70yrs
This happened over Valletta, most of the buildings where just a box of stone but then decoration
started with the baroque age in the middle of 17th and throughout the 18th century. Two stages of
Valletta, the building and the decoration.
Early Valletta architecture followed the Spanish bland architecture but then the architecture
changed to what we know today. (for ex, Escorial Palace in Spain)
Designed by Gilormo Cassar, similar to a fort
Mattia Preti was in charge in the internal decoration and in the upgrade of the door entrance
later on in the 17th century

Valletta Citta Umilisima

A video which shows Valletta they show the transformation of the city as we know it today
1565 Turkish attack of Malta
5 months of siege
Genga and Lapparelli worked in the design of the town planning of Valletta
Lapparelli also teaches the Maltese architect Gilormo Cassar, with the help of the Ufficju delle
Case
90 blocks
3 streets of 10metres
Other various from 7m to 3m
Constructed in a rectangular way because it had one entrance while the asterisk plan had 3
different entrances
First they build the fortifications
Then they inserted the buildings
Different orders, from different countries where given areas to take care, Auberge where
contracted, which was a convent, a barrack and a hostel for the elderly nights. These had also
the duty to take care for the bastions area allocated to them
Auberge de Castile
Auberge the Italy with St. Catherina Church
Auberge de Aragon is one of the Auberges which were built and also the only one to have
survived with the original design.
Sacra Infermeria
o Originally a hospital hospitals were very important for the order
o One of the largest of hospitals of the order of st john
o Built near shore to provide shortest route
The bland architecture of the Hospitaller, Dar il-Mediterran.
The Grand Master Palace, the portico was added in the 18th century
The wood balcony started to be visualized in the 18th century
Fountains designed in the 18th century, to embellish the city

Europe of the 16th century, the priorities where entirely military, for economic reason, they used to
spend this money for military rather than embellishing the city.
Once fortifications are build, key buildings, little could be done

In the 17th century, revenue of the knights increased, Turkish tread came less and less, at this time a
change in attitude that dominated the 16th century

Therefore, a change of triofalizim arises, the baroque style was a fashion that spread all over Europe.
Therefore the old architecture of Valletta was not suitable, then certain buildings where pull down and
reconstructed in baroque style. Therefore, a new Valletta emerged in the 17 th and 18th century.

Assignment
4000 words max on a period of Maltese history, like for example the Temples, The Roman Period etc...

Lecture 7: 26/11/2012
Baroque in Malta 17th, 18th Century

Military Architecture http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/ (This link might be useful guys, take a look at
it)

The defence of Malta in Baroque Age hinged on 3 points:


1. Defence of Grand Harbour
a. Valletta
b. Birgu
c. Senglea
2. Defence of long stretch of coastline facing Sicily, which contained sandy beaches. Any invasion
would come from Northern Area and beaches permitted berthing of boats
3. Defence of countryside: Mdina and a Castle in Gozo

Between 1600 and 1898, the grand harbour was updated with several defence buildings like:
By 1650 a definitive strategy of defence of Grand Harbour was completed
The construction of Valletta
The reinforcement of Birgu and Isla
The extension of the Margerita lines and the Cottonera Lines
Construction of fort Ricasoli
Construction of Manuel island fort

The Protection of the Grand Harbour


2 key Grand Masters who ruled Malta in the 1st half of the 17th century were
De Paul 1626 - 1636
Jean Paul Lascaris Castellar 1636 - 1657

Five points of danger during the Great Siege


High Ground - Margerita Heights facing the city of Birgu
Salvadore Heights facing the side fortification of Birgu
The heights which was then occupied by fort Ricasoli
The heights of Corradino which face the city of Isla
The heights which was then occupied by the Floriana fortifications

These areas where reinforced in a later stage with the existing fortifications and forts constructed by
the Knights
As a response to Margerita Heights: building of St Margerita
Occupation of Punta Del Orso, Fort Ricasoli
Floriana Lines
Strangling of Fortifications of Floriana Higher and deeper
Strengthening of wall of Senglea by means of Corradino Heights
This was all a precaution against the Turks
The 1st half of the 17th century
Three important military engineers who helped in the building of new fortifications
o Pietro Paulo Floriani
o Magiolano da Firenzuola
o Don Giovanni de Medici
During the 17th century, grand masters De Paul and Lascaris helped out to create the 1 st
expansion of the Fortifications of Malta

The first appendix of the book Mondion by De Lucca and Giovanni Battista Vertova by De Lucca
o Check this translation of this French report
o Check the story of the fortification etc
o In the final years, fortifications of Valletta were improved....

Pietro Paulo Floriani,


Arrived here in 1640
He wrote a book about the defence of cities (Difese Delle Piazze)
When he came to Malta, he was looked at as an authority in military architecture
16th century fortifications dealt with a ditch on the outskirts, bastions, curtain walls (transitalien),
but now architects thought about forward works to keep the enemy even further away from
fortifications these type of works are known as outworks
They started to do outworks outside the ditch.
Military architects (during the Baroque Age) worked beyond the ditch to keep enemies as far as
possible, these were known as outworks.
Important: Florianis Book about different types of outworks
His arrival was characterised by the fortification of Floriana, i.e. the construction of the Floriana
Lines. He was criticised for the corner fortifications by the Knights; in fact, he left Malta in the
middle of the construction process and the work was continued by his assistant. However, the
works on the Floriana lines still remained in a very imperfect state.
He introduced in Malta the acute angled style of fortifications. Such a style he brought from the
Spanish Lands Netherlands and Holland
The Floriana fortifications are typical of Floriani, we can see the typical acute angle fortifications

Francesco Magiolano di Firenzuola


Francesco Magiolano di Firenzuola came to Malta, a very famous guy (Fr. Firenzuola was involved
in the trial of Galileo Galilei)...... see the report...
He proposed something that was fresh and new, leave Floriani build the Floriana lines. He was
aware that the Turks had penetrated Birgu through Margerita Heights. Therefore Firenzuola
wanted to occupy the heights facing the fortification of Birgu, which are the Margerita lines.
There was an issue regarding the connection of the Margerita lines with the defence of Birgu.
The Margerita lines offered protection and made room for a new suburb to develop, i.e. Bormla
where one could build new houses.
In 1638 both the Floriana Lines and the Margerita Lines were being built. However, there was a
controversy: Should there be a detached fortress should it be linked with Birgu? Some further
reading to be done

Don Giovanni de Medici


When Don Giovanni de Medici arrived here, he had come here to give his blessing to the new
fortifications being built. After 5 weeks in Malta, visiting the fortifications, he wrote a detailed
report and also drew up some drawings.
1st April 1640, after examining the fortifications, he explained the controversy about the Floriana
Lines and Margerita Lines.
o They were both good, so much so that the enemy would not have dared to attack Malta.
o He recommended to:
Join the Floriana lines with Valletta to form a strong crownwork
Girdle Fortification at St Elmo
Fortify Senglea and its West fortification to offer heights to Corradino
Detaching Margerita Lines and only connecting it to Birgu walls by a rampart (The
broad embankment or mass of earth surrounding a fortified place. A rampart
forms the body of the place)
http://www.atelierdesdauphins.com/english/histo/eglosbas.htm
Building a powerful fortification in place of Orsi Point Fort Ricasoli
Elongation of fortification at Senglea

1645
The Turks where about to attack Crete Candia. It was also thought that they would attack Malta
aswell. Grand Master Lascaris brought again the Order and other military persons (from France).
The king of France sent Comte de Pagan and a famous military engineer Blaine Francois
(Progress of fortification at that time + Valletta courtyard).
Conte de Pagan was the guy who came up with the Theory of Military Architecture. The visit of
De Pagan and (Clerville) opened further the development of fortifications of Malta based on the
principal of outworks. This work happened under Cottoner and Carafa
1663-1680 GM Nicholas De Cottoner
1680-1690 GM Gregorio Carafa

Another important event when Pagan was in Malta. Jesuit College in Malta, Valletta decided to start
teaching Military Mathematics. After departure of Pagan, teaching started young knights were taught
nomenclature of fortifications using the line of defence lines which would be covered by many
soldiers. Now designs of fortifications were based on Mathematical calculations, Villages and cities
were distinguished by barrel vaults etc. This was the time when the design of the fortress was based
on a mathematical method based on studies from Euclid.

Father Giacomo Maso started to teaching military mathematics here in Malta, the Gizwiti started this
teaching. They started teaching ways and means by using angles etc, to create a geometrical
construction. This was based on the dimension of the Line of Defence. This course became very
popular.

De Fer planned showing new fortifications which were being built.

Antoinio Marizio Valperga


Was sent here because of the ambitious dream of GM Cottoner, the building of the Cottonera
City. Cottoner wanted to protect to himself not from the Turks but from Spanish Sicily
New fortress fortress of Ricasoli occupied the entire peninsula.
He also suggested a fortress on the island of Manuel, on the other side of Valletta.
We see the development of the New Cottonera Lines and the new bastions of the Cottonera
lines.

Military Engineer Don Carlos De Grunenberg, called by G.M. Carafa


Fortifications of Floriana were still incomplete and so he wanted to finish them off
On 14th March 1681, Carlos presented an opinion on what had to be done to perfect the Grand
Harbour Fortifications:
o Strengthening Fort Saint Angelo by a number of batteries
o Realign east walls with 4 batteries
o Design girder wall fortifications of St Elmo which had been proposed years before

Countryside
Mdina
o In Mdina, a bastion was added when the GM Conte Pagan was here,
Citadel of Gozo
o Bastions by Giovanni Rinardini
o Proposal for radical enhancement of Fortifications by Valperga
Enclosing actual citadel by a ring of new bations
Link fortification of Citadel to another set of bastions around outskirts of Rabat
(This never took place as it cost too much money)
o Valperga also proposed a new town in Citadel and Rabat where residents would seek
refuge in this area

When Floriani came to Malta, in the 1640, he brought with him architect Francesco Buonamici, who was
then sent to Gozo with a very important mission, to investigate the possibility to built a new city like
Valletta. The idea was to remove Citadel which was perceived to be weak. A site was located which is
thought to be the heights over Marsalforn. This remained a paper project as well since there was no
money. Still at a later stage, Fort Chambre was built but this was a city and not a fort, facing the
harbour of Mgarr. A map showing the plan of Chambre, very similar to Valletta grid system.
Defence of the Coastline
To defend the coastline, towers started to be constructed along the coast of Malta, in order to create a
system, a warning system in case of attacks.
Coastline of Malta containing sandy beaches was long, starting from Marsaxlokk and ending in
Gozo
Process started in opening of 17th century when GM Deredin constructed towers which would
offer an early signal in the event of an attack, e.g. Madliena Tower
Deredin towers which used to monitor any enemies and had a very efficient way of
communication between themselves
In 1620, First line of Towers were further strengthened by bigger fortresses like Santa Maria
Tower, Comino, Fortress of Saint Lucian, and Tower of Saint Thomas

Conclusion
The 17th Century, was a crucial century for the fortification of Malta during the Knights period. Thanks to
those people, there was a boost on the fortification of the island.
Sophistication of military works based on outworks (Europeanization of Malta)
Periodic visits of important personalities (Floriani to Don Carlos) that boosted the fortifications
especially around the Grand Harbour.
Fortifications of Grand Harbour was expanded to offer protection which in the 16 th century was
not possible

Lecture 8: 03/12/2012

17th Century Malta continued - The Arrival of the French Military Architecture
1714 There was a new Turkish threat, Grand Master Raimondo Perellos (1697-1720), and after
Perellos, De Vilhena( Portuguese) came to Malta and continued the work after Perellos.
In the beginning of the 18 th century, the French Connection in Military architecture was introduced by
Grand Master Raimondo Perellos; this was a French Military Mission.

France, at that time, was considered to be the best in Military Architecture. King Louis XIV (14 th)
managed to assemble the French army in the middle of the 17 th century. Louis the XIV had the best
French army in history. Due to the increase in power a pact between the Dutch and English was agreed
in order to hold this army. The King also supported the Crusades

3 Important personalities in the 18th century


1. King Louis 14th
2. Sebastien Vauban (
a. military engineer who is renowned for the innovative fortification design known as
Pentagonal Vauban Fortress
i. Such design incorporated 3 systems of defence: 1st, 2nd, 3rd method of fortification
b. He was also the one who introduced a scientific method regarding the way to attack a
fortress
c. He also fortified the fortifications in France in different areas; there were two types of
fortifications:
i. Those surrounding old places
ii. Those surrounding new places (named San Louis)

Vauban, a French military engineer: Pentagonal Vauban Fortress


This was all calculated with mathematical calculations
He devised 3 systems of fortifications
1st, 2nd and 3rd systems of fortifications
Inner, outer line and further outer lines of fortifications. There was 3 lines of defence
This person fortified the fortifications of France
This was then applied to the Maltese scenario
There was also a card game about the fortifications too

French Military Architecture in Malta by Stephen C. Spiteri


The 1700s were a very important period for the fortification of Malta; it was during these times
that the military in Malta was influenced by the French and so the Military was set up following
the French Military Style
A massive building effort: Final Development of the fortifications: Fort Manuel, Fort Chambray,
Fort Tigne, various fortification lines... etc...
Fort Manuel and Fort Tigne are the essence of French military architecture in the Maltese
fortifications (they capture the main concept behind the French Military architecture)
Order of St John St John shifted from Spanish Military Style to French Military Style
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Order of St John was not successful in completing the
fortifications. This brought a need to complete the fortifications, as they were afraid that Malta
would be attacked any time and it had no finished fortifications.
In 1714 there was an alarm (The Alarme Generale) that the Turks were to attack again the
island. This further increased the need to complete the fortifications.
This threat however soon ended, but the Order still wanted to finish off the fortifications since
they had already planned how this was going to be done.
The Knights failed to complete the fortification works to enclose Valletta
Gran master Pirello, asked help from the French King of that time, Louis XIV. As this request, the
latter sent a group of military engineers to Malta so that they could help out in the fortification
works. As a result, the order now shifted to the French style of Military architecture.
Neuf Brisach was said to be the ideal city at that time, regarding town planning and
fortifications
French Military architecture was first introduced in Malta during the 1640s.
Counter mines: These were mines beyond the fortification which used to be filled with gun
powder and blown up if an enemy managed to increase his proximity to the bastions.
Grand Master De Vilhena financed the construction of Fort Manuel on Manuel Island
Art + Architecture + Engineering = Fort Manuel (Fort Manuel reflects the peak of military
architecture. It reflects art and architecture brought together to bring perfect harmony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iagPUdYsAqA
The French military engineers arrived in Malta under the command of Francois Mondion. This military
mission of the 1714 managed to:
fortify the existing bastions and further increase the fortifications at the Margherita Lines
They also started fortifying the Victoria Lines (a high ridge which separates the North from the
South) which were done by Mondion.
They also fortified Fort Ricasoli and Floriana
The first 30yrs of the 18th century was dominated by these French Military engineers

The Mdina Earthquake of the 1693


In 1693 Mdina was hit by an earthquake and was left badly ruined.
The rubble was dumped in the ditch and therefore the Fortification was at risk since the ditch
was full of debris
GM Vilhena offered to restore the fortifications of Mdina and also to introduce new fortifications
surrounding the limits of Mdina.
Therefore Vilhena sent a letter to the Pope and stated that he was going to use his commission
to refortify Mdina as well. When the Pope accepted, GM de Vilhena handed this task into the
hands of his military engineers.
Some alterations where done by Mondion even to the piazza
The ditch was doubled in size and introduced a sheltered pathway
The two corner bastions where badly damaged and were rebuilt again and also the design of the
gates, the main and the lower gate
Formation of a new square, St. Publius Square

End Result of the French Connection


The end result of the French connection was to bring to perfection the baroque military
architecture of Malta
The most detailed plan of the harbour fortification of Malta, the drawing was supervised by
Mondion, this is still available and one can see it in the museum
Large amounts of paintings, illustrations, and prints showing the new image of Malta under GM
Vilena
The view of the approach to the cities was amazing with the fortifications surrounding the cities
i. The main scope here was to create a pathway which did not have any obstacles for the
pedestrians. However, while walking, one would notice the sudden rise of these bastions
from the ground.
ii. This was the picture of Malta at that time, with amazing fortifications, baroque buildings,
dramatic design and sculptors
There were in fact two depictions of Valletta: a very military Valletta Spanish architecture, very
plain. But then this evolved in a fine Baroque City of Valletta. Some of the buildings were
brought down and reconstructed
More information on the Military in Malta during that time:
The Knights were also afraid from a rebellion of Sicily against the Spanish rule (apart from the
fear of attacks from Ottoman Turkey discussed earlier)
As a result the Knights shifted from the Rule of Spain to Rule of France
The French were interested in Malta because they wanted to establish a centre which would
allow them to control the volatile Sicilian Rebel
Within a period of one year under the control of the French Military army, their Military engineers
managed to bring the fortifications to a perfect state.
Coastal Defences
i. Consisted of three type of structures
Batteria
Semi-round
Built around existing forts, e.g. Torri Sliema
Accommodates firing artillery
The Redoubt
near Bahar Caghaq, the bar, there is two on Commino
The Entrenchment
These were all linked by a coast road to facilitate movement of the troops
from one site to another
ii. The Knights where worried about the north area of the island due to the sandy beaches
iii. In the archives, there is an amazing plan of another town of Valletta, which site was
located where Sliema is today. A typical late baroque city. This city never materialised.
iv. With the French revolution, the funding of the knights was stopped and therefore they
had no finances to materialise this new city

Lecture 9: 10/12/2012
French influence in military architecture in Malta
Vauban was responsible for the building of Fort Manoel. The bulk of the designs for defences
were in the bastions and the concept was to defend the enemy in depth, resulting in the
outworks.
Most important part of Fort Manoel was its landfront (consisting of 2 bastions) since it had to
survive direct attacks from the enemy.

Continued on the upgrade of the fortification by the French Military Architects


All fortifications were implemented with countermines to block any offence approaching the
walls
Covered way, raven, the ditch, main line of defence which consist of the bastion and the curtain
wall, built on two levels.
Fort Manuel and Fort Chambre
Fort Chambre was meant to be like a town, if just in case there was an attack on Gozo, all people
had to go to the Fort for safety.

Todays Lecture
Three points
i. What happened in Mdina in 1722
ii. What happened on the coastline on Malta, coastal fortification to prevent enemy landing
iii. What happened to the fortifications, which where enriched with sculpture, paintings etc

i. The great earthquake of 1693


Military Engineer, Mondion was requested by GM Vilhena to draw up a master plan for the
city.
At that time Mdina was in ruins as most fortifications and most parts of the town were badly
damaged (including the Mdina cathedral, which at that time was still following the Medieval
Architecture style; and the gate leading to Mdina).
The earthquake of 1693 had wreaked havoc as it was built on weak foundations.
After the earthquake the ruins were thrown into the ditch surrounding the town, and
therefore as a result the ditch was full of rubble and the town could be easily accessed by
the enemy (the ditch was no longer serving its purpose).
GM Vilhena wanted to empty the ditch and rehabilitate the whole town.
The central bastion was repaired
A new bastion was built behind the cathedral palace and also another one on the opposite
side.
The ditch was widened to twice its original size
Modifications were carried out up to Tal-Bakkari Bastion
Following the death of GM Vilhena, bastions were added at the back of the cathedral
The Main gate of Mdina (characteristic of Vauban, similar to the Vauban gates built in France
for other fortifications) was built behind the cathedral
Another gate was also built outside the medieval fortification (based on the principles laid
out by GM Vauban)
The area between Mdina and Rabat was a desert zone and no building could be build

ii. Coastal Defences


Building of redoubts, battery and entrenchments (miniature bastions)
To close the entire north coastline of Malta
Fougasse was used as well
Obstacles (sharp boulders) were thrown onto the floor
St Anthony Battery, Ras il-Qala, Gozo
There was a plan to build a line of fortifications around the north coast of Malta
Ximenes Redoubt, Salina Bay
St. Julians Battery
Fort Tigne, 1792

iii. Representations (art forms) and Ornamentation of the Buildings


Paintings were very big the length of a window
They were very detailed, e.g. a painting, drawn in 1750, showing how the Grand Harbour
would have appeared in that timeline
Detailed maps drawn up at that time, under the supervision of the Military Engineer,
Mondion
Further reading, Fortress of the Knights by Stephen Spiteri, Mondion and Vertova by De
Lucca
The End of the Dream painting - the last project by knights of St John of a fortified city,
drawn at the end of the 18 th century of another fortified city consisting of heavy land front
fortifications. This city was to be located where Sliema exists today. This project never took
place.

Baroque Malta in the 17th and 18th Century


Several villages in the northern part of Malta, such as Attard, Naxxar and Mosta, began to
develop.
What happened after the building of Valletta
Italians were developing the baroque style in Rome
Several villages in the northern part of the island started to developed, thanks to the protection
of the Knights
Thomaso Dingli, is responsible for the building of several parish churches outside the harbour
cities
o Born in Attard, 1591
o Son of a sculptor
o Young Dingli followed his fathers footsteps
o Studied mathematical discipline
o Started his career by experiencing a hands on experience took part in the construction
of the Wignacourt Aqueduct
o Was employed as a scalpelino
o He was also involved in the Parish Churches of Attard, Gharghur, Mosta (not the
Rotunda), BKara and Zabbar
o Also showed his skill in Zebbug Church (St Philip)
o He was an influential force of architecture outside Valletta
o Was he the designer or the builder? We dont know
o According to myths, some say that he was involved in the building of the main gate of
the town of Valletta, 1632. But this point is shrouded in mystery.
o First to apply the rules, put forward by the council of Trent (1545 1563), in the churches
o Such principles were initially applied in the plans of the churches which were under the
supervision of Dingli
o One of the main guidelines of this council was that the layout of churches was to follow
the Latin Cross Plan (crucifix form plan).
o These rules had specific requirements which an architect had to address in his design of
churches
o Thomas Dingli church plans of Zebbug, Birkirkara, Attard, Birgu churches
All follow the Latin Cross Plan
o Dingli was influenced from Spanish architecture. In fact he was very interested in Leone
Battista Church of Sant Andra at Mantova. Further to this one may also notice the
Birkirkara church was influenced from Spanish Baroque architecture

o Attard church is similar to Sant Andrea and of Juan De Nates church in Spain, Senora de
las Guistas
o We do not know a lot about him

Francesco Buonamici
o 1635 started the baroque style, Francesco Bounamici came to Malta to sketch the
fortification, he remained here till 1659, he was the resident architect if the knights
o Bounamici was born in the city of Lucca in Italy
o A family of three brothers, his mother was well off family
o They arrived in Lucca 1300, medieval time
o When he went back to Lucca, 1677 he died there and was buried in the Church he
Designed, the Suffrago Church, build to commemorate the death of lots of people by the
Plague
o Lucca is a roman town, 3rd Century BS
o The fortifications where based on the roman fortifications, a further fortifications in the
medieval time where build and also another extension was down to the medieval
fortifications
o The point is that he was brought up in a city which had fortifications being build
o The Catholic Church seen Lucca as an infected city
o He went down to Rome to remodel the Church of Santa Croce dei Luccesi, which was a
medieval church. He painted also the painting of the centre of the altar. He designed the
Pallazzo Giustinaiani in Rome of which drawing is found in the Library Hertziana
o After he went back from Rome as the plague was over, he was commissioned to design
the Church of Suffrago
o 1634 the pope ordered Pietro Paulo Floriani to come to Malta, he was the first architect of
the Pope State. Floriani had his son and the painter Bounamici with him and this is how h
came to Malta, he had to supervise the works after Floriani left Malta
o 1635 1641, had to supervise the construction of the bastions
o His first design was of a garden, Gnien Il-Sultan over Lascaris bastions
o Then he worked on Wignacourt collage in Rabat, near the Church of Rabat which is now a
museum
o This was the first baroque building in Rabat area. It was build over the St. Pauls Grotto
o During the British rule, the Collegio kept with its original use. During the war was used as
a shelter with hospital and baking bread, after the war, it was used as a school
o The Gizwit (1592) asked Bounamici to rehabilitate of the interior of the church 1647, and
the construction of the dome, the facade and the oratory of the church. This was the kick
start for the 2nd Valletta to start, the Baroque City, it was a model that followed
o 1652, the design of the St. Nicholas Church
o 1653, he was asked to design the facade of the church of St. Paul in Rabat, the design o f
the 1st baroque church in Malta
o 1650-1651 he had the go ahead to visit the island of Sicily and where he designed the
main church of Siracusa, the Duomo and the rehabilitation of the palace and the Church
of Ortigia.
o The council of trent aim was to convert most o the medieval churches into a baroque
style architecture
o 1659, he left Malta and went to live in his native town of Lucca and he was appointed a
chief architect of Lucca, he had to look after the fortification of Lucca. He arrived there
after a delay and the people of Lucca handed this work to other military architects
o San Romano church was changed in a baroque style but only the interior
o This work was mainly structural works, as the older walls of the building was badly
damaged with earthquake shakes
o Baroque style aim is t create a ciaro scurro effect
o Another work was the Theatro Del Gilio
o Last project was an entrance door design
o 1677 he died
o He was Maltas first baroque architect which he managed to introduce the baroque style
in Valletta and other villages around the island
o He was also involved in the conversion of the interior of the St. John Cathedral

Lecture 10: 17/12/2012

Francesco Buonamici was the first architect who managed to introduce the architecture of Baroque
Rome in Malta, specifically in Valletta. Baroque slowly started infiltrating the Maltese Islands

Three important personalities


Mattia Preti mid 17th century, responsible of conversion of St John Cathedral.
Mederico Brondel a French architect
Lorenzo Gafa Maltese architect which designed a number of churches at the end of the 17 th century

Mattia Preti
Born in 1613, died 1699
Born in Calabria with a nick name of the Cavallieri di Calabria il cavalieri Calabrese
He was impressed with what Caravagio had done in Rome (Ciaro Scuro)
He left quite a few of his works in Rome
He went to Venice, Modena and soon after his stay in Rome 1650, he moved to Naples and then
to Malta
The knights invited him because Bounamici had left for Lucca and therefore Malta needed a new
architect.
At that time the Church of St John was just a stone box and so the Order wanted to refurbish
this church as it was the symbol which represented them. It was due to this fact that Mattia
Preti was invited to Malta
St. John Cathedral was the meeting point of the Knights and anyone who came to Malta was
invited to meet the Knights at this place
In this refurbishment, Baroque architecture was applied.
Mattia Preti took part in the refurbishment by designing a baroque themed interior for this
church.
The brilliant use of colour and his attention to detail is a characteristic of Mattia Pretis painitngs
Ciaro Scuro (technique which was also used by Caravaggio) could also be seen in his paintings
His brilliant choice of colours to give depth in his paintings was influenced by painters in Venice.
Being in the Baroque era, most of his paintings were made in such a way to reveal emotional
content at a particular point in time, as opposed to paintings from the Renaissance era.
Mattia Preti as an architect:
o Responsible for an outstanding building: Chapelle of Sarria, build just behind the Floriana
Lines
Carefully located in terms of design and height because of the artillery ranges
from the fortification.
Great attention to detail is also present in the entrance portal
He made use of giant ornament for the design of the exterior.
o The St. John Cathedral outside intervention which consisted of: the entrance, with
columns, arch portal and balcony all to increase the complexity of the facade

Mederico Blondel Des Criosettes


French baroque architect
Brother hood of the Knights
He designed the church of Ta Gizu, Church of San Rokku, Carmelite Church in Mdina(importance
of this church in Mdina is because it is the first building in the main street of Mdina to project the
Baroque ideal.
Other gate ways in the Cottonera Lines
He also sculptured the entrance of the Auberge de Italy
Designed Ta Giesu Church Valletta, San Rocco Church and Cottonera Lines
But the most important from these three is the Church of St Mary of Jesus (Ta Giesu)
Also Designed the Carmelite Church
o Centralised Plan in the form of an oval
o Blondel was asked to design facade
o This was the first building to follow Baroque Architecture and therefore the first to have a
sculptural facade
Lorenzo Gafa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Gaf%C3%A0)
1638 1703
Born in Vittoriosa, (Birgu)
Imp time period in Gafa`s life: Involvement in the design of the church of St Paul, Rabat. While
on site he met Francesco Buonamici, from whom he learned a lot
He later met Blondel and Mattia Preti while designing other projects
Gafa` gained most of his knowledge from these three
Best known in Malta for the design of Mdina Cathedral and Church of St Catherine Zejtun
After the great earthquake of 1693 only Gafa`s choir was left standing from the Mdina
Cathedral
When the Cathedral was going to be rebuilt, the choir was the starting point of the design
process
Baroque only functioned properly if it was photogenic
o At first, when the Mdina Cathedral was rebuilt, the surrounding piazza and streets were
holding the church from being photogenic
o Therefore Gafa` wanted to demolish some buildings to enlarge the surrounding space

Pietro Paola Troisi


1686 1750
A Maltese Baroque Artist
Focus on the Altar of Repose thing which was mounted for the Holly Week
The part beneath the dome and between the arches is called pendentels
Architect of the Mdina Municipal
Artefact found in Mdina by Troisi Altar of Repose: it can be mounted and dismounted

Introduction of the 18th Century


Opening was inaugurated by Grand Master Ramon Perellos
He invited Mondion etc to finish the fortification
Carapecchia , book of De Lucca Master of Baroque Architecture
Carapecchia was born in 1666, born in Rome
Died in Malta in 1738, practiced in Malta for 31yrs
Rome in 1666, was a hive of building activities
Academia di San Lucca in Rome, Berloni did a lecture at that time
o He said that baroque architecture has to do a way and return to observe the rule of
practical architecture which result in a good baroque architecture.
This new way was being thought in the academia by Carlo Fontana which one of his students
was Carappechia
He started the 18th century baroque architecture in Malta
He had a diary, which still exists in the national Library archives
Fontana used to talk about the military architecture and about materials especially about the
marbles that exist, chapter on planning of palaces, what should contain in this palace. And
about what an architect has to watch for in a Romans baroque period. Another chapter re the
history
Important the application of the rules of proportionality in the design
Classical proportion, add the width and length, divide by two and you get the height of the room
1706 he arrived in Malta
Negotiation to keep it here was very hard
At this time, the economy in Rome wasnt good and therefore a lot of architects left Rome to
other cities
Perrellos was desperate to have another architect after Bounamici left
Antionio Vanilli was the friend of everyone and he was trying to convince him to come to Malta
Pope Clement the 11th which also send a letter to Malta re Carapecchia
His carrier started with the report on the water fountain etc of the island
What did he produce under Perrellos?
o Embellishment of all the projects that happened at this time in Valletta was either the
filling gaps in Valletta mainly by churches
o These were all small churches which needed explanation
o Valletta had gaps occupied by old building or by vacant plots
o He then started to fill up these gaps in Valletta
o And this resulted in the building of these churches
o Church of St. James, oval church
o Our Lady of Pillar Church in Valletta
o St. Catherina di Italia Church
o The Monastery of St. Catherina in lower republic street, in Strada San Gorgio
o St Pauls Church seating
o The door to the parliament
o The Barrier Stores under Barbara Bastions
o Zabbar Gate
o Other gateways for our fortification
o Addition of two bell towers in St. Lawrence church in Birgu, an addition to Gafa design
o Grand staircase of the Inquisitor in Birgu,
1530 was build the palace
Today is a museum
What did he produce under Villena?

Lecture 11: 07/01/2013

Romano Carapecchia arrived in Malta in 1707 during Gran Master Ramon Perellos
Carapecchia combined a book about the water reservoirs of the Maltese islands, these wells where
enough to support the three cities and Valletta for two years just in case a siege happened. A French
knight requested Carapecchia on behalf of Gran Master Vilena to design this naive to be put in the
Cathedral, this naive was done to represent Vilena after his dead. This was contracted by master
carpentry Michael Camilleri. This was called the Chappelle Ardente.

Carapecchia designed also the Manuel Theatre, which was Commissioned by GM Vilena. The theatre
was considered a very important building in the baroque age as at this time, these things where
considered very important. The interior was altered by the British during their rule. It was redecorated
in the 19th century after converted into a horse shoe theatre type.

Info about the Baroque Theatre


17th Century French Theatre the Court Theatres
Intended for an elite audience
Enormous buildings
The Palis Royal was built in 1641
Salles des Machines, designed to use the technology of that time
Charet and pole system of scenes
Performed indoor and outdoor in tennis courts
Borrowed from the commedia DArte from the Italian
They performed for the general public rather than the elite of French society
Hotel de Bourgogne, was inside and had raised stages
Theatre Du Marias, was converted from a tennis court
It could hold 1500 people

Carapecchia was involved in other project


Another work is the palace looking over the St. Julians Bay, for the Spinola Family
He also added the side corridor to embellish the blank wall side of the Cathedral of St. John.
The Church of Santa Barbara was also designed by Carapecchia, the interior was based in an oval
shape, still in stone finish. In 40yrs he created a couple of important buildings.

The Sequel of Works of Carapecchia.


GM Pinto de Fonseco and GM De Rohan
The Valletta of today came like that in the 18 th century. Buildings where either being demolished and
reconstructed in the fashion of Lucca Academia style or a number of houses was demolish and erected
a new building.
1st, the refurbishing works in the Magisterial Palace (current parliament) by Carapecchia. Auberge de
Castel was build by a barley known architect. Another is Pariso Palace. By the end of the 18 th century,
Valletta became city of Palaces and fortifications.

Charles Franoise de Mondion was active in Mdina at that time that Carapecchia was working in
Valletta. He arrived in 1715, as the deputy Tigne Military Mission by King Louis to enhance the existing
fortifications of the Knights in the Grand Harbour Area and also they enforced the Coastal defences by
adding, Battres, Outbreaks etc..
He was sort of the Director of Public works during the Knights period. He wasnt a qualified architect but
a military engineer. He modified the entire land front fortifications of the city after the earthquake, he
also assumed the responsibility with the help of Carapecchia and another Maltese, to design the
eastern part of Mdina as these areas where blocked with rubble. In the period of 1727, this town was a
ghost town since it was in a state of ruins. Thanks to Mondion, we have the city which has two
characters, a new more open area built after the earthquake and the medieval part. He had the
bulldozing fashion in mind, which means he used to demolish the problem and build from scratch.
Vilena Palace in Mdina, in the courtyard, he created a sort of theatre with balcony facing the courtyard.
The British converted the palace into a hospital and they demolished these old houses and extended
another wing to the palace.

The Timber Balconies arrived in Malta about 1650, and which dominated the landscape of Valletta in
the 18th century, in the 19th century they started to be coloured but in the period of the knights, these
where left in the original colour of the red wood used. They reassemble the balcony of the Islamic
culture. This originated probably from a slave which worked in a carpenter shop which came with this
idea and it was a success.

Last Lecture: 14/01/2013


19th century Malta

Grand Master Hompesch


He was betrayed by the knights
Many of the French knights were in favour of the French revolution and were not bothered by
Napoleon entering the grand harbour as the fortifications were not functioning as they should
be.
Even the Maltese had had enough of the knights

The History of Malta changed with the coming of the British


Thanks to Horatio Nelson, we were relieved from the French by this British. Admiral Alexander Ball was
elected the Island Commissioner.

The British in Malta


They organised the building department of the Knights
Military architecture
Civil architecture
Naval Architecture
They arranged the public works building which the Order of St. John had at that time
o This was done by Alexander Ball who reorganised this building by dividing it into three
sections

The British were surprised with the rich heritage of fortification that they found in Malta
What to do with this heritage?
An advance in technology (industrial revolution) had an effect on the strength of the artillery
Therefore due to the industrial revolution, the defence of the fortifications was not adequate for
the power of the new type of armaments
Apart from this, the fortifications were no longer suitable to support the installation of new big
guns which were being used as fire power in the wars.
The strategy was to place a number of fortresses on the outskirts of a place to keep the enemy
away
Therefore during the British era we see a drastic change in the type of armaments and also the
defensive strategy
The British wanted to bring the fortifications of Malta up to higher standard.
There were a number of reports by several people which give advise how Malta should be
updated
o One of the main reports suggest to demolish fort st elmo and replace it with a long
shooting range gun
There was even a report to demolish all the coastal towers as they where un useable
They wanted to create a fort within the Floriana lines
Another to fill up the ditch in front of Valletta
And to build other forts in the area of Hamrun
In the 1860s
Four main things started happening
o Modernization of Fort St. Elmo, with new gun placements
o Works on Victoria Lines started
o Extension of the Fortress of San Lucjan by creating a gun battery outside the fort
o Creation of a new defence line on the heights of Corradino
The first fort build by the British outside Valletta, Sliema Point gun battery (TGI Friday)
Insertion of barracks and gun post within St Elmo
The construction of Victoria lines, were they wanted to split the island in two
o Several forts and entrenchments within the Victoria lines were built
o Intended to protect the island from any landings of enemy within the coastal areas
o Fort Madliena was the 1st fort
Different from the knights, which were focused huge gun placements which their
function was of containing guns
Moreover, they had the role to defend their area from intruders
Fort Mosta, with gun placements facing salina and bahar caghaq
They were sunken into the earth to camouflage within the landscape
One of the best designed
o Fort Bingemma
They followed the counters of land
They had to do detailed surveys
o Fort Delimara
o Fort Leonado
o Fort San Rokku
o Fort Rinella
Heavy installations of guns because the Italians where installing heavy guns on
battle ships
o Fort Cambridge
o Threats during the 19th century
Italian
French
The Ottomans

British Fortifications included:


Forts focused on huge emplacements to accommodate guns
Characterised by defences on landfacing side to stop a small attack. Such defences include
small scale defences like barbed wire
Were sunk into the landscape one would not know that there was a fortress (when looking from
above) camouflage (very important characteristic of the British)

Info on 100tons Armstrong guns mounted in Malta and Gibraltar, the fort ended up with these new
guns, a container for just one gun.

The threat of that time was with the Italians, French and also many people thought that Malta was to be
given back to the nights and the knights had a lot of friends in Europe which supported them, and
therefore the British had the role to the defend the line separating Europe from Africa as well

The Maltese had at their hearth the baroque architecture which was catholic side and the British
protestant side.
The British after 2 years of their arrival reformed the education which set up a school about
architecture, design and sculpture 1802. It was never teacher before architecture and this was the first
time by sir Alexander Ball. His idea was to teach a new sample of student in order to introduce and kill
the baroque style with the new form of architecture. Neo Classicism was suppose to replace the
baroque. Bighi was built as a new hospital in Neo Classical architecture.

The British wish to achieve a revolution in architecture style. The neo classical style and then the new
gothic style, they introduced several key buildings in the urban areas. The first building was a
monument for Sir Alexander Ball monument. They wanted to achieve the neo style which reflected the
architecture style of the Greek . after a 50years period it started being accepted as a new architecture
the neo classical style. Another is the main guard portico. Another example was Villa Hookham Fere in
Pieta.
Some info about Bighi Hospital by Sir George Whitmore, the palace of knights was converted to this
naval hospital.
The first 30 years of the 19 th century, the building of the new Anglican church in Valletta in neo classical
style. After, this facade gave the inspiration for the facade building of the new court laws. 1833, the
famous church in Mosta designed by a French architect George Grioner de Vass. Also a small church in
Lija, had the neo classical style architecture.

The Maltese had a bad reaction with the new gothic style as this was seen as the symbol of the
protestant British religion. So the Maltese did not wanted to use this style in Malta but the British
manage to introduce this style trough 2 architect, Bonavia and another one Emanuele Gallizzia. In
Valletta, a prespiterian church was built by Gallizzia and after that the building of Adolorata cemetery
by Gallizzia, which had the neo gothic style which represented the protestant British architecture.

Edward Middleton Barry, 1866, who design the opera house in neo classical architecture. During the
WWII, 80% for the buildings in Valletta was destroyed.

The Chalet in Sliema (1923)

Three important events during the 20th Century in Malta


Apart from the tourist development during the 1960s
Three important things:
a core of young architect was formed within the public works department which introduced the
touches of modernism in the architecture of the Maltese islands.
Richard England modernist architecture
Renzo Piano City Gate Project, the first project

Exam: choice to answer on what we liked to focus on, important that the answers does not cover only
what he said in lectures but other material which we searched and read

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