A historical outline of school architecture in Malta

Although the history of education in Malta is well documented, the architectural history of local educational facilities is still as yet uncharted territory. The available literature on the architecture of schools in The Maltese islands and their underlying design philosophy is almost non-existent. A tentative outline can only be sketched on the basis of the substantial corpus of surviving drawings, various ad hoc reports ar.d for the international style modern schools, built in the 1950's and 60's, by direct verbal communications with their architects. This paper will present a concise historical exposition on school architecture in Malta and Gozo.peer-reviewe

Some corner of a foreign field forever Ottoman

Ever since the author was a small child, the local Ottoman Muslim cemetery has been a source of boundless fascination to him: an architectural enigma, a romantic Oriental fantasy that would embed itself in his consciousness and fire his imagination. Whenever he was driven past it in the back of his father’s Fiat 500, it appeared to him as some fantastical and exotic palace with fairytale towers, inhabited by dashing princes and foreign potentates, unlike anything he had ever seen around him. He longed to explore it more closely, but as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry observes in The Little Prince, “sometimes there’s no harm in postponing your work until later”. And so, some 45 years on, as an architect and architectural historian, he felt it was high time to revisit the subject of his childhood fascination.peer-reviewe

Muqarnas, an Annual on the Visual Cultures of the Islamic World

The Maltese islands, situated at the crossroads of the central Mediterranean basin between Sicily and the North African coast of Tunisia and Libya, have throughout their history been ruled by diverse foreign powers, ranging from the Romans (ca. 218 b.c.–a.d. 395), the Byzantines (535–869), the Arabs (870–1090), the Normans (1090–1265), the Angevins (1266–82), the Aragonese (1283–1529), the Order of Saint John (1530–1798), the French (1798–1800), and the British (1801–1964). With the notable exception of Malta’s prehistoric temples dating to 5000 b.c., the imposing network of military fortifications and the Renaissance city of Valletta founded by the knights of the Order of Saint John have overshadowed other architectural legacies. In the aftermath of the Great Siege of 1565, the island of Malta, now under the rule of the Order, established itself as a strategic military base and bulwark of Christianity against the westward expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Local historical studies have tended to depict a heroic, predominantly Christian island state that throughout different periods in its history managed to successfully repel incursions by foreign Muslim powers. One unintentional result of this has been that the few local art and architectural forms emanating from non-Christian cultures have been underappreciated and not given the attention they deserve. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the historical and architectural significance of a unique nineteenth-century Muslim cemetery complex built under the auspices of the Ottoman sultan Abdülaziz (r.1861–76). It is the final culmination of several Muslim cemeteries that were discreetly established on the island in various historical periods. The way in which a Muslim cemetery has been represented from a Western cultural perspective—through Orientalist imagery and the conceptual ideals of Romanticism—will be explored with specific reference to the establishment of this late Ottoman cemetery in a British island colony. However, prior to considering this subject in detail it would be useful to briefly trace the historical backdrop of the Muslim presence on the island.peer-reviewe

Interpreting the landscape of the Maltese Islands

Two versions available; original article published in 1994 and a more recently published version as part of a book.The Maltese islands, located at the heart of the Mediterranean basin, have throughout their history been ruled by various foreign powers. This paper analyzes the morphology of the local physical environment as a discontinuous historical process, based on the assimilation of urban typologies from both European and Arab contexts. The Maltese landscape is unique in its superimposition of the mutually distinct Islamic and European Baroque urban traditions. The historical transformations of the built environment are interpreted as a product of the intricate and complex dynamics of secular and religious powers. This case study concludes with a conceptual methodological paradigm for interpreting traditional landscapes within the Mediterranean.peer-reviewe

Ta' Braxia Cemetery - an architectural appraisal

The introduction of extra-mural cemeteries was a highly controversial issue in mid-nineteenth century Malta. The local church was vehemently opposed to the principle of establishing burial grounds outside the confines of local parishes, and even more so to the principle of multi-faith internment. Plague cemeteries were built outside urban areas but these were many a time neglected and had fallen into a state of disrepair. British servicemen had previously been buried in the Msida Bastion Cemetery, but by 1850 it could no longer accommodate more graves due to its restricted size. A new cemetery had to be planned for those adhering to the Protestant faith and other denominations who could not be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Ta’ Braxia was conceived as an interdenominational cemetery. It was built on a site just outside Porte des Bombes, and was readily accessible given its close proximity to Valletta and the Three Cities. It soon became the island’s principal garrison cemetery and the most important burial site for British servicemen during the second half of the nineteenth century. The site was already partially occupied by a few small cemeteries, including the Plague and Jewish cemeteries that straddled the old San Giuseppe road connecting Porte des Bombes to Marsa. In 1855, works commenced in earnest with the construction of the boundary wall as detailed plans of the new cemetery were presented to the Commanding Royal Engineer. This was necessary as clearance had to be sought from the military authorities to ensure that the cemetery as planned would not compromise the efficacy of the fortifications and defensive lines in the vicinity. The planning of the cemetery was entrusted to the Maltese architect Emmanuele Luigi Galizia (1830-1907).peer-reviewe

Giuseppe Bonavia (1821-1885) : a Maltese architect with the Royal Engineers

Standing right in the middle of the back row he exudes a commanding presence with his well-built physique, bushy dark beard and penetrating eyes, and black coat swinging open around the top button to reveal the underlying white waistcoat. He had joined the corps of Royal Engineers in 1847 as a twenty-six-year old apprentice, worked his way through the ranks from an architectural draughtsman, to clerk of works and later as an architect. Bonavia was particularly active in the 1850s and 1860s designing several buildings in the Neo-Classical and Gothic Revival styles. Bonavia’s contribution to the development of Maltese architecture in the midnineteenth century has not been given the recognition it deserves, at times manifestly overshadowed by the more familiar names of William Scamp, Edward Middleton Barry and Emanuele Luigi Galizia.peer-reviewe

Seeking solace in the Mediterranean : architect Basil Spence in Malta

In the late 1960s, the renowned British architect Sir Basil Spence (1907-1976) acquired a traditional house in Malta. It was certainly not one of the typical run-of-the-mill holiday villas that were popular with foreign visitors at the time. Rather, it was the complete antithesis of the speculative type of new accommodation that was fast sprouting to cater for the major influx of British expatriates who decided to take up residence in Malta, lured by generous tax incentives and the other intangible life-enhancing benefits of a relaxed lifestyle and a mild climate. The property that Spence had purchased, appropriately named ‘Dar tal-Għar’ was situated in the desolate landscape setting of Fawwara, on the outskirts of Siġġiewi. It enjoyed extensive views of a then pristine and enchanting countryside setting of terraced fields with rubble walls sloping down dramatically to the rugged coastline.peer-reviewe

Architecture and urban transformations of Mdina during the reign of Grand Master Anton Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736)

The origins of the walled town of Mdina date back to the Roman period although its present-day physical boundaries were defined during the Arab occupation of Malta (870-c.1090). In medieval times, during the Aragonese rule (1283-1530), Mdina or the Città Notabile as it was then known, thrived and prospered as it was the main urban settlement on the island. However, during the 16th and 17th centuries when Malta was under the rule of the Order of St John, Mdina was in decline and lost its political and economic preeminence to the new ‘city of the Order’, Valletta. This paper will consider the impact of the 1693 earthquake and the various post-earthquake reconstruction efforts of the local church which sought to consolidate its presence as the traditional Episcopal see. The reconstruction of the old medieval cathedral, a new bishop’s palace and later a Seminary building were an integral part of an architectural enterprise, which the Cathedral Chapter spearheaded with a view to enhancing its presence within the city. However in 1722, with the election of the Portuguese grandmaster António Manoel de Vilhena (r. 1722-1736), the Order of St John for the first time demonstrated a real interest in intervening within the walled town. Vilhena embarked upon an extensive urban renewal programme by re-planning the entire approach and entrance area of Mdina, building an imposing Baroque-style Magisterial palace and Corte Capitanale, together with an ornate Banca Giuratale building. Vilhena’s urban renewal of the Mdina had the political objective of appropriating the representation of the walled town from the traditional seat of the bishop and local Università, and of transforming it into another miniature ‘city of the Order’.Le origini della città fortificata di Mdina risalgono al period romano, anche se i suoi attuali confini furono definiti durante l’occupazione araba di Malta (870-1090 c.). In epoca medievale, durante il dominio aragonese (1283-1530), Mdina o la Città Notabile come era allora conosciuta, fiorì e prosperò come il principale insediamento urbano dell’isola. Tuttavia, con l’arrivo sull’isola dell’Ordine di San Giovanni, nel corso del XVI e XVII secolo Mdina declinò e perse la sua preminenza politica ed economica a vantaggio della nuova “Città dell’Ordine”, Valletta. Questo contributo esamina l’impatto del terremoto del 1693 sulla città e l’impegno profuso dalla Chiesa locale nell’opera di ricostruzione nel tentativo di consolidarne il prestigio di antica sede episcopale. La ricostruzione della vecchia cattedrale medievale e la nuova edificazione del palazzo vescovile, e più tardi del seminario, fu parte integrante di una impresa architettonica che il Capitolo della cattedrale condusse con l’obiettivo di rafforzare la sua presenza all’interno della città. Tuttavia nel 1722, con l’elezione del Gran Maestro portoghese Anton Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736), l’Ordine di San Giovanni dimostrò per la prima volta un reale interesse a intervenire entro la città murata. Vilhena avviò un vasto programma di rinnovamento urbano, riconfigurando tutta la zona di ingress di Mdina, con la costruzione in stile barocco dell’imponente Palazzo Magistrale e Corte Capitanale e della Banca Giuratale. Per Vilhena il rinnovamento urbano di Mdina aveva l’obiettivo politico di trasformarne l’identità da sede del Vescovo e dell’Università a “Città dell’Ordine” in miniatura.peer-reviewe

William Scamp : an appraisal of his architectural drawings and writings on St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valletta

William Scamp (1801–1872) was an architect in the employment of the British Admiralty. Although his stay in Malta was limited to a three-year period from 1841 to 1844, he was actively involved in three major projects – the construction of the Number One dry-dock in Cospicua, the Naval Bakery in Birgu and St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta. The last project was a highly prestigious one for the local British colonial government. Works had started prior to Scamp’s involvement. However, soon after the beginning of construction works under the supervision of Richard Lankesheer, several worrisome cracks started to appear in various parts of the building fabric. The structure demonstrated serious faults and it was clearly apparent that Lankesheer was not technically competent to handle a project of this scale and importance. Scamp was approached by the members of the church’s Building Committee to draw up a report on the state of the unfinished works and this was the start of his involvement in the project.peer-reviewe

Architecture in post-independence Malta past, present and future

In July 1969, five years after Malta’s Independence, the prestigious British architecture journal, The Architecture Review issued a special issue entitled MALTA – Past, Present and Future. The foreword by the journal’s editors commenced as follows: “Since Malta achieved independence many changes have come to the island and even greater changes are likely, largely owing to the growth of tourism. Since the run-down of the British naval base and dockyards, it has been increasingly evident in spite of some successes in the light industries, that the future economy of the island must largely depend on tourism and on the climatic and other attractions it offers to retired people and such like. This means a vast amount of building – of villas, hotels and pleasure facilities of all kinds – and the main problem facing Malta at the moment, a problem much of the building that has already taken place alarmingly illustrates, is how to prevent all these developments in aid of tourism from destroying the very attractions the tourist come to enjoy.” True, the aftermath of Malta’s Independence witnessed an unprecedented ‘building boom’ as the island embarked on an intensive building spree to cater for a flourishing up-market tourist industry. During the mid to late-sixties various hotels were built along some of the country's most scenic bays and sandy beaches, that is, besides the several up market hotels that were developed in the more urban areas of Malta. From an architectural standpoint, the immediate post-Independence era were exciting times – besides tourist accommodation, several new educational buildings in the form of primary and secondary schools were built in several towns and villages, a new university campus was developed and new industrial estates were established for an emerging manufacturing industry. It was not just the physical act of construction that was intriguing but the search for a new architectural identity that would reflect Malta’s new state in the aftermath of Independence.peer-reviewe