Title of Project

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Title of Project Valletta Action Plan Integrated Cultural Heritage Management Plan 2 SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION THROUGH REGENERATION FOREWARD Dr Alexei Dingli Mayor of Valletta Europe‟s Smallest Capital City in the and a defence line of Fortifications Heart of the deep Blue that is second to none. Mediterranean Sea, Valletta is a dynamic City which has never Valletta and its Harbours have always responded to ceased to change and move forward, the dynamics of time and change. From a Maritime Super City of the 17th Century Valletta developed retaining its original beauty and into a Cultural and Commercial Hub in the 18th splendour. Valletta is the designer Century, becoming yet again the strongest Naval city of the 16th Century built straight Base in the Mediterranean during the 19th and mid- from the drawing-board of three men, 20th Century. Valletta and its harbours developed from a Port of War to a Port of Peace and from a a Political Leader and Head of the Port of Heavy Industry to a Port of Culture and Order of the Knights, Jean Parisot de Tourism. Valletta is considered to be one of the la Valette, a warrior engineer finest harbours in the World and a unique Francesco Laparelli, and a Maltese experience to all seafarers and passengers sailing Architect, Girolamo Cassar. Valletta on the luxury yachts and liners. is one of Europe‟s most sophisticated Valletta is a city rich in cultural tradition. Compared micro cities with an intense to other older cities in Europe, Valletta is only 440 concentration of baroque architecture Years young, yet it has the stature, history and profile similar to its sister Capitals of Europe, proud of being a World Heritage City. Conference1 that the Action Plan was presented Through the HerO project and the compilation of this with a system of project-based actions and funding Action Plan, the Valletta Local Council, the Local packages. This system was further sustained by a Support Group and committed stakeholders are delivery plan. 3 striving to make Valletta a unique living experience, aiming towards a better quality of life based on a In the development of this Action plan together with safer and healthier environment, with an improved the Urban Local Support Group we considered that transport system and infrastructure. We do our best a crucial component of any plan is the local citizens‟ to have a City with an open mind and outgoing intangible heritage of the City, that is, how they first Administration, a City fit for work and leisure, for the came to live within the community and how they live younger generation as well as for our senior within it today. In this regard apart from the Urban citizens, easy to do business in and above all an Local Support Group we developed a system of enjoyable tourist experience. walk-abouts to understand better the neighbourhoods with the Mayor and representatives It is up to us all to carry Valletta to future of the local community. Furthermore a survey was generations with greatest respect to those who built created to used within the areas included within this and shaped the City and its history. Action Plan to gain a deeper understanding of the community and their personal histories and future aspirations for this location and the City of Valletta. Background to the Action Plan This consultation process with the community, went beyond that established by the current planning In developing this Action Plan as consultants legislation and beyond what the project was initially specialising in spatial planning, regeneration and aimed towards. However, it was to become a useful heritage management we have sought to follow tool to further develop the Action Plan as well as to principles of „best practice‟ measures which have check the relationship the citizens‟ have to been established both on a national and UNESCO and Valletta‟s World Heritage status. internationally level. The publication of this Action Plan is in tandem with The project of the Action Plan in the context of its implementation stage. The project was launched HERO has been an opportunity to adopt a new with the idea of developing multi-speed projects in approach to planning for conservation and planning these three years and activate these in the short- for the city. The complexity of compiling such a Plan term. This gave us an opportunity at an early stage is not only meeting the stakeholders‟ aspirations but to check related indicators and propose to integrate the various forms of planning regimes performance benchmarking. based on national planning systems, EU Directives and International Conventions and Charters. We take the opportunity to thank all those who supported the compilation and drafting of this project in all its aspects especially Ms Gabriella Agius The foundation of this document dates back to 2009 Executive Secretary and the Local Support Group when it was originally commenced and has been and the Citizen‟s of Valletta who assisted us to gradually established based on the CHIMP create this document. framework and criteria set by the HERO network project. However, to enable this plan to be as fully Dr Malcolm Borg and Ms. Samantha Fabry effective and accessible as possible we, have Heritage Enterprise ventured to apply the following measures and Action Plan Coordinators standards ; (i) Create a Character Appraisal as a system to analyse and evaluate fully the resources and assets of the City (ii) Use the World Heritage City Guidelines (iii) involve the EU 2020 Strategy (iv) follow the reference made by the Leipzig Charter and (iv) include the planning framework as applied and used locally. Why was the system of action planning applied? The reason was fundamemtally based on being pro- active and dynamic. It is counter-productive to create a plan without being activated. It is therefore 1 HERO Midterm Conference - 9th-10th November with this main aim that at the Valletta Midterm- 2009. Local Support Group youths aided by church helpers have conducted 4 The Local Support Group was set up research, took photographs, interviewed residents early 2009 as part of the HerO and built models, which were then used for an audio-visual program. Another project recently project and development of the launched is the „Santu Wistin 6pm IT & Resource Action Plan for the Marsamxett area. Centre‟ for kids, where underprivileged children from The LSG includes various key Valletta have a better environment in which are experts which are based within aided with their studies, learn computer skills and receive counseling related to their studied. In the Valletta and play a key role within near future, the project intends „Values – Internet various activities which are based in Awareness‟, to cater for adults of the parish, in this city in particular within the conjunction with the Valletta Local Council and ETC. location of the Marsamxett as well as The volunteers and helpers contribute significantly the surrounding areas. The following in the parish and are entrusted with coordination in historical and cultural matters within the parish. The organizations are included within the vision of the Parish is to attract the community and LSG. Their input into the visitors to the area through education and culture by development of the CHIMP is making its heritage assets accessible to all. paramount to the success of this project. Valletta Local Council Secretary – Ms. Gabriella Agius St. Augustine‟s Parish Church One of the main objectives for the Valletta Local St. Augustine’s Community – Council is to improve the residents‟ quality of life. Father Saviour Grima O.S.A. and During the course of the council meetings the Mr. Denis Darmanin commitment to install a safer and healthier environment within the City Residents is always The Augustinian Community in Valletta is a religious directly or indirectly referred on the agenda. order which administers the Parish of St. Augustine that incorporates over half of the land area and The council, commissioned experts to identify those population covered by the Marsamxett Action Plan. short comings which were significantly affecting Other to the needs of the parishioners, through negatively on the local resident. The experts were outreach projects, the Community launched the also asked to suggest and recommend new program „Youth in Action Programme‟ (EU 1.2), as approaches and methods as to how to improve and encouraged by the Archdiocese of Malta‟s „Church upgrade over the existing methods or environmental and Culture‟ participation. Part of the program was localities (zones).The requests of the residents are in collaboration with YMCA Homeless. The program always given close attention. consisted of a number of projects, the first of which was a 3D Walkthrough of St. Augustine‟s Parish Through EU funds the council has just received the Church (http://www.staugustinechurchtour.com). green light to start a new project worth 1,000,000 For the past three years, the parish has also hosted euros. These funds will be invested on Peacock „Skola Sajf‟ (Summer School) where some 60 Garden, a site which had been neglected for quite a children from the parish and beyond, were taught long time. The residents of the City especially those various creative skills, given lectures, attended residing in the zone of Marsamxett will benefit from excursions, met with local dignitaries and visited the upgrade to this open space. The improvement of places of historical importance, with the support of this garden gives a breath of fresh air to the local the Valletta Local Council, the YMCA (Malta), the residents. The plans and the application to MEPA Valletta Community Network, St. Albert‟s Collage, are already completed and approved. The project the Civil Protection, Malta Police Force and other will start in due course.
Recommended publications
  • LOCAL NOTICE to MARINERS No 105 of 2019
    PORTS AND YACHTING DIRECTORATE LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS No 105 of 2019 Our Ref: TM/PYD/132/89 19 August 2019 Filming outside Marsamxett Harbour and inside the Grand harbour, Valletta - The story of my wife The Ports and Yachting Directorate, Transport Malta notifies mariners and operators of vessels, that filming activities will take place outside Marsamxett Harbour at point A (as indicated on attached chart) and at Boiler Wharf inside the Grand Harbour, Valletta. The filming will take place on Friday 23 rd August 2019 and Saturday 24 th August 2019. The filming involves the use of the vessel UTEC Surveyor as a prop and she will be towed by the tug boats Sea Wolf and Sea Jaguar whenever it has to be moved. Friday 23 rd August 2019: 0600 hours UTEC Surveyor will be towed from Cassar Shipyard to be moored at Boiler Wharf. 0900 hours UTEC Surveyor towed from Boiler Wharf to outside Marsamxett Harbour where filming onboard the vessel will commence. In the afternoon the UTEC Surveyor will be towed again to Boiler Wharf where filming will take place from arrival to midnight. Saturday 24 th August 2019: 0900 hours UTEC Surveyor towed from Boiler Wharf to outside Marsamxett Harbour where filming onboard the vessel will commence. In the afternoon the UTEC Surveyor will be towed again to Boiler Wharf where filming will take place from arrival to midnight. Monday 26 th August 2019: In the afternoon the UTEC Surveyor will be towed back to Cassar Shipyard. Mariners are to note the above and give a wide berth while the UTEC Surveyor is being towed and while it is anchored at point A (as indicated on attached chart).
    [Show full text]
  • AGATHÓNAGATHÓN RFCA Phd Journal Recupero E Fruizione Dei Contesti Antichi
    Università degli Studi di Palermo Dipartimento di Progetto e Costruzione Edilizia AGATHÓNAGATHÓN RFCA PhD Journal Recupero e Fruizione dei Contesti Antichi 2010/1 Continues in this edition of Agathón the enlargement of the Scientific Committee with A G A T H Ó N the Researchers from other countries, in order to compare different international expe- RFCA PhD Journal riences: Tarek Brik, architect and professor at l’ENAU of Tunis, and Josep Burch ar- Recupero e Fruizione dei Contesti Antichi chaeologist and professor at Girona University. The first Section, Agorà, as the main and collective space in Greek polis, hosts the contributions of Gillo Dorfles, Chiara Visentin, Josep Burch, David Palterer, and mine. In the Section, Stoà, as the porch where the philosopher Zeno taught his disciples, are gi- ven the contributions presentated by teachers of Doctoral College: Maria Clara Ruggie- ri, Renzo Lecardane and Cesare Sposito. In the third Section, Gymnasion as a place where young Greeks practiced gymnastics and where educated in arts and philosophy, are the contributions of Angela Katiuscia Sferrazza, Maria Désirée Vacirca, Santina Di Salvo, Alessandro Tricoli and Golnaz Ighani. The fourth Section, Sekós, as a room of Greek house for youn people mentioned by Plato (Rep. 460/c), has two young graduates, Federica Morella and Giorgio Faraci. We indicate, on back cover of the review, the ca- lendar of seminars of the years 2009/2010. 2010/1 Finally, we must remember that the editorial activity has been possible thanks to the Doctoral College, we specially thank, for their extraordinary work, Ph.D. Students San- dipartimento di tina Di Salvo and Maria Désirée Vacirca.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2007-2008
    Annual Report 2007-2008 Annual Report 2007-2008 In accordance with the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Act 2002, the Board of Directors of Heritage Malta herewith submits the Annual Report & Accounts for the fifteen months ended 31 st December 2008. It is to be noted that the financial year–end of the Agency was moved to the 31 st of December (previously 30 th September) so as to coincide with the accounting year-end of other Government agencies . i Table of Contents Heritage Malta Mission Statement Pg. 1 Chairman’s Statement . Pg. 2 CEO’s Statement Pg. 4 Board of Directors and Management Team Pg. 5 Capital, Rehabilitation and Maintenance Works Pg. 7 Interpretation, Events and Exhibitions Pg. 17 Research, Conservation and Collections Pg. 30 The Institute for Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage Pg. 48 Conservation Division Pg. 53 Appendices I List of Acquisitions Pg. 63 II Heritage Malta List of Exhibitions October 2007 – December 2008 Pg. 91 III Visitor Statistics Pg. 96 Heritage Malta Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements Heritage Malta Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements Pg. 100 ii List of Abbreviations AFM Armed Forces of Malta AMMM Association of Mediterranean Maritime Museums CHIMS Cultural Heritage Information Management System CMA Collections Management System EAFRD European Agricultural Regional Development Funds ERDF European Regional Development Funds EU European Union HM Heritage Malta ICMCH Institute of Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage, Bighi MCAST Malta College
    [Show full text]
  • Multiple Approaches to Heritage in Urban Regeneration: the Case of City Gate, Valletta
    Journal of Urban Design ISSN: 1357-4809 (Print) 1469-9664 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cjud20 Multiple approaches to heritage in urban regeneration: the case of City Gate, Valletta G. J. Ashworth & J. E. Tunbridge To cite this article: G. J. Ashworth & J. E. Tunbridge (2017) Multiple approaches to heritage in urban regeneration: the case of City Gate, Valletta, Journal of Urban Design, 22:4, 494-501, DOI: 10.1080/13574809.2015.1133230 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2015.1133230 © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group Published online: 01 Feb 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 809 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=cjud20 Download by: [Tarbiat Modares University] Date: 05 November 2017, At: 21:52 JOURNAL OF URBAN DESIGN, 2017 VOL. 22, NO. 4, 494–501 https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2015.1133230 OPEN ACCESS Multiple approaches to heritage in urban regeneration: the case of City Gate, Valletta G. J. Ashwortha and J. E. Tunbridgeb aDepartment of Planning, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; bDepartment of Geography, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada ABSTRACT Using heritage resources within local urban regeneration is rarely a simple matter of preserving some structures or relating some historical events and presuming that this will make some contribution to the contemporary objectives of regeneration. Buildings, spaces and historic narratives are not in themselves heritage but they can become it.
    [Show full text]
  • The Auberge of Aragon Is One of the Great Inns Or Habitations Built for The
    he Auberge of Aragon is one of the great inns The church was embellished and remodelled in the or habitations built for the ‘groups’, colloquially most grandiose manner by, it is thought, the architect knownT as ‘langues’, within the Order of St. John. It Romano Carapecchia. All expenses incurred in this was planned and designed by the legendary Maltese project were met by Grand Master Raimondo Perellos. architect Girolamo Cassar soon after the laying of the The altarpiece of the Madonna of the Pilar is the work of foundation stone of Valletta in 1566. It stands in what is the internationally renowned Mattia Preti (1613- 1699) now Independence Square in the ‘new’ City of Valletta, and his assistants. sometimes also referred to as the ‘Citta’ Umilissima’. The Auberge D’Aragon is perhaps of particular interest The Auberge d’Aragon, as it is generally known, is the to the Maltese nation because of its very name - Malta oldest of the seven Auberges built by Girolamo Cassar was ruled by Aragon long before the advent of the and survives almost in its original form, with all the knights. Perhaps the first reigning sovereign to ever visit hallmarks of a Cassar building. Although the facade Malta was Frederick III of Aragon in 1372. Alfonso V of is plain, the Auberge d’Aragon has fine Renaissance Aragon also visited in 1432 and it is recorded that he The Blue Room rooms. It is recorded that the site was purchased in resided with his Governor of Malta chosen from the local the acts of the Maltese Notary Placido Abela on 20th populace, Baron Francesco Gatto.
    [Show full text]
  • Malta & Cyprus
    13 DAY CULTURAL TOUR MALTA & CYPRUS $ PER PERSON 3199 TWIN SHARE TYPICALLY $5399 KYRENIA • VALLETTA • BIRGU • KARPAZ PENINSULA THE OFFER 13 DAY MALTA & CYPRUS Ancient temples steeped in myth and legend, azure seas and sun-kissed beaches, colourful cities with hidden laneways and marketplaces to explore… there’s a $3199 reason Malta and Cyprus are tipped as two of the Mediterranean’s rising stars. Experience them both on this incredible 13 day cultural tour. Discover into the rich history and architecture of UNESCO World Heritage listed Valletta; enjoy a guided tour of beautiful Birgu, one of Malta’s ancient fortified ‘Three Cities’; take a jeep safari through the colourful cities and villages of Malta’s sister island Gozo, which is long associated with Homer’s Odyssey; and enjoy two days at leisure to soak up the relaxed island lifestyle of Malta. Stay in the ancient city of Kyrenia in Cyprus, known for its horseshoe-shaped harbour and cobblestone laneways; travel to St. Hilarion Castle high located in the Kyrenian Mountains; journey along the isolated yet beautiful Karpaz Peninsula, known for its wild donkeys; visit the famous Apostolos Andreas Monastery; relax with two days at leisure in Cyprus and more! With return international flights, an additional flight between Malta and Cyprus, 10 nights waterfront accommodation, return airport transfers and more, this island getaway will surprise you in ways you didn’t know possible. *Please note: all information provided in this brochure is subject to both change and availability. Prior to purchase please check the current live deal at tripadeal.com.au or contact our customer service team on 135 777 for the most up-to-date information.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposal for the Nomination of Lower Globigerina Limestone of the Maltese Islands As a “Global Heritage Stone Resource”
    Article 221 by JoAnn Cassar1*, Alex Torpiano2, Tano Zammit1, and Aaron Micallef 3 Proposal for the nomination of Lower Globigerina Limestone of the Maltese Islands as a “Global Heritage Stone Resource” 1 Department of Conservation and Built Heritage, Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta; *Corresponding author, E-mail: [email protected] 2 Department of Architecture and Urban Design, Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta 3 Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta (Received: June 21, 2016; Revised accepted: November 29, 2016) http://dx.doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2017/v40i3/017025 The Lower Globigerina Limestone of the Maltese Islands These will cover the nomination criteria that have been established by is here being proposed for nomination as a “Global Her- the Board of Management of the Heritage Stone Task Group (HSTG), itage Stone Resource”. This stone, continuously used for as specified in the Task Group’s checklist for “Global Heritage Stone building and sculpture for 6000 years, is well suited to fit Resource” designation (revised October 2014), and as reported on the this global designation as it is not only of great local cul- Global Heritage Stone website www.globalheritagestone.com. tural, historic and economic importance, but it is also the building stone used in construction of the UNESCO, and Criteria for GHSR Recognition hence internationally recognized, World Heritage city of Valletta, as well as the UNESCO-listed Prehistoric Mega- Criteria for designating a Global Heritage Stone Resource (GHSR) lithic Temples of the Maltese Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • PDF Download Malta, 1565
    MALTA, 1565: LAST BATTLE OF THE CRUSADES PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Tim Pickles,Christa Hook,David Chandler | 96 pages | 15 Jan 1998 | Bloomsbury Publishing PLC | 9781855326033 | English | Osprey, United Kingdom Malta, 1565: Last Battle of the Crusades PDF Book Yet the defenders held out, all the while waiting for news of the arrival of a relief force promised by Philip II of Spain. After arriving in May, Dragut set up new batteries to imperil the ferry lifeline. Qwestbooks Philadelphia, PA, U. Both were advised by the yearold Dragut, the most famous pirate of his age and a highly skilled commander. Elmo, allowing Piyale to anchor his fleet in Marsamxett, the siege of Fort St. From the Publisher : Highly visual guides to history's greatest conflicts, detailing the command strategies, tactics, and experiences of the opposing forces throughout each campaign, and concluding with a guide to the battlefields today. Meanwhile, the Spaniards continued to prey on Turkish shipping. Tim Pickles describes how despite constant pounding by the massive Turkish guns and heavy casualties, the Knights managed to hold out. Michael across a floating bridge, with the result that Malta was saved for the day. Michael, first with the help of a manta similar to a Testudo formation , a small siege engine covered with shields, then by use of a full-blown siege tower. To cart. In a nutshell: The siege of Malta The four-month Siege of Malta was one of the bitterest conflicts of the 16th century. Customer service is our top priority!. Byzantium at War. Tim Pickles' account of the siege is extremely interesting and readable - an excellent book.
    [Show full text]
  • Valletta, Back to Its Future
    Valletta skyline. Courtesy of Aron Mifsud Bonnici (AronMifsudBonnici.com). Candidate European Capital of Culture, 2018 Valletta, Back to its Future alletta, spring 2010: a British European identity, a city which respects Born as a fighting machine, Valletta theatre impresario, a Maltese its past while embracing its European changed guise even as its bastions and Vstage director and a French future in a Euro-Med context." grand palaces, auberges , took shape. diplomat greet each other in Republic When Benjamin Disraeli visited Valletta in After the Great Siege, riches flowed in Street. Valletta, spring 1710: the 1830 before he became Britain's prime from most of Europe's nobility and Portuguese Grand Master Ramon minister, he described it as "a city of Valletta slipped into a new role as patron Perellos raises a hand in polite greeting palaces built by gentlemen for of the arts. to the Pope's representative, the gentlemen", its architectural riches Valletta entered a golden age under the Inquisitor, as their sedan chairs pass. comparable to those of Venice and Knights as a showcase of leading-edge Three hundred years apart, yet these two worthy of Palladio. Visitors today still European culture, art and architecture. events characterise Valletta. It's a city share in Disraeli's view. Valletta is So many of Europe's great creatives of that has been always a melting pot of dominated by the vast cultural legacy of the time worked for the Order, Valletta cultures, open to outsiders and the Order of the Knights of St John who could claim to be a forerunner city of influenced by them.
    [Show full text]
  • MALTESE E-NEWSLETTER 7 January 2018 1
    MALTESE E-NEWSLETTER 7 January 2018 1 MALTESE E-NEWSLETTER 7 January 2018 Annual Festivals & Traditions The Maltese Islands have a number of religious festivities and cultural events that take place every year. Feast days are the life of the Islands and some holy days are actually national holidays, such as the feast of Santa Marija in mid-August. Others, such as the harvest festival of Mnarja at the end of June, are steeped in folklore. However, the most important events to all villages are their individual festas, honouring their parish patron saint. Religious holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, are highly celebrated, with the traditional festivities that go along with them. As families tend to be quite close-knit, the holidays are a time to strengthen the sense of community as well as reinforce family bonds. Church services play a large role during this time of year and during the Holy Week of Easter, many flock to the churches in great numbers for the‘seven visits', the visit of seven churches, to pay homage to the Altars of Repose. The festive commemorations are also a time of food, drink and merriment which brings out the Mediterranean roots of the locals. Families prepare large Christmasand Easter lunches; giving thanks for all that they have with their relatives. During these festas the streets are lined with carts, selling a wide assortment of differentfoods as well as the more traditional sweets and delicacies. Introduced relatively recently, cultural events such as the Malta Fireworks Festival, the Malta International Arts Festival, Notte Bianca, the Malta Jazz Festival , the Malta World Music Festival and Mediterranea in Gozo are becoming traditions in their own right.
    [Show full text]
  • (HT) Half Day Valletta with Exclusive Palazzo Visit
    Damon Camilleri Allan Exclusively Malta 800-598-5474 [email protected] Monday · April 23rd, 2018 #18 - (HT) Half Day Valletta with Exclusive Palazzo Visit Valletta Experiences Manoel Theatre Grand Master's Palace Staterooms & Armoury National Library of Malta - Private Tour St. John's Co-Cathedral Private Palazzo Visit - Casa Rocca Piccola Itinerary Inclusions Itinerary Exclusions Value (Per Person Based on Two People) Valletta Experiences Valletta was built by the Knights of St. John after the Great Siege of Malta by the Ottomans in 1565. It is the fortified city that was said to be "Built by gentlemen for gentlemen". It boasts over 320 monuments in a .2 square mile radius, is a Baroque capital and is being recognized as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. You'll love what's in store within its main gates - a great mix of history and present day lively culture. Below are some of the included experiences in addition to meandering the main and back streets to discover Valletta`s very interesting history. Created by Damon Camilleri Allan at Exclusively Malta 1 Manoel Theatre The Manoel Theatre is one of the oldest working theatres in Europe. Constructed in 1731 by the Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena "for the honest entertainment of the Knights"; the theatre is a baroque gem with wonderful acoustics and a full calendar of events populated by local and international performers, with productions in English and Maltese. Maybe there is something on the calendar during your stay? Grand Master's Palace Staterooms & Armoury The Grand Master’s Palace has been the administrative centre of Malta for almost three and a half centuries.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Download
    Malta SHORT Pierre Sammut ARTICLEST he Influence of the - Knights of the Order THINK of St. John on Malta CULTURE Due to its geographical position at the cross- roads of the Mediterranean, Malta has wit- nessed many different influences. In Ancient times, it attracted the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginian and the Romans, then other con- querors including the Arabs, Normans, Ara- gonese and the Crusaders, the French and the British. But one of the most fascinating pe- riods of Maltese history remains to this very day the period governed by the Knights Hos- pitaller, better known as the Order of St. John, who governed the islands from 1530 to the end of the 18th century, when the French un- der Commander Napoleon Bonaparte took over Malta. Prehistoric Temples and Majestic Palaces from different periods are unique landmarks. The Knights in particular left their marks on vario- us aspects of Maltese culture, in particular the language, buildings and literature. Their period is often referred to as Malta's Golden Age, as a result of the architectural and artistic embel- lishment and as a result of advances in the overall health, education and prosperity of the local population. Music, literature, theatre as well as visual arts all flourished in this period, which also saw the foundation and develop- ment of many of the Renaissance and Baro- que towns and villages, palaces and gardens, tomy and Surgery was established by Grand the most notable being the capital city, Valletta, Master Fra Nicolau Cotoner I d'Olesa at the one of several built and fortified by the Sacra Infermeria in Valletta, in 1676.
    [Show full text]