https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2728 2026-11-01T10:29:25Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150419 Title: La Casa degli Affittavoli Testaferrata : adaptations of a Valletta building at 245-249, St. Paul’s Street from the 16th century to the present Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: Valletta was born at a time when over the rest of Europe freedom of thought was spreading with a consequent effect on the Renaissance style up to that time somewhat stern and severe in its compositions and proportions. The architectural world, particularly in Italy, was under the influence of the so-called Mannerists who included painters, sculptors, architects and military engineers, most of whom were called upon by the reigning princes and dukes to offer their service. Through their connections with the Catholic aristocracy in Europe, the Knights Hospitallers of St John did not, throughout the duration of their stay in Malta, find it difficult to engage the best architects and military engineers for the building of “their” city - Valletta. By the end of the sixteenth century, Valletta was already a jewel of a city, with an architectural symphony of palaces, auberges, and churches all surrounded by fortifications. The new Capital was therefore universally acknowledged as a perfect example of a fortified city. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150418 Title: The building of a new city – Valletta Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: It was Francesco Laparelli da Cortona who actually took the first decisions regarding the urban plan of the new city. Thus the area within the fortifications of Mount Sceberras was divided with a grid of twenty streets, all straight. Eight main longitudinal thoroughfares divided the peninsula from south-west to north-east whilst another twelve transverse streets intersected the same linking the two ports. It seems that the urban plan was already in place by the end of 1566 during the construction of the church of Our Lady of Victory, the first Grand Master's Palace and the house of Laparelli. Meanwhile the building of the Valletta fortifications had already started to take shape only a few months after works had been inaugurated by Grand Master Jean de Valette in March of the same year. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150364 Title: The Salini Rehabilitation Project Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: Since ancient times salt-pans and the salt industry created an environment of particular cultural, environmental, economic and anthropological significance within the Maltese Islands and the Mediterranean. This industry is remarkable for its efficient use of natural resources which are fully renewable and create minimal pollution. Apart from the human-made rock-cut salt pans, the same areas have a particular ecological significance. Salina represents the largest, and one of the last, remaining salt marsh areas in the Maltese Islands, a rare habitat locally which supports a specialized flora and fauna, including a number of endemics. The Salina area now represents the best remaining example of a coastal marshland in the Maltese Islands, although it is likewise under threat, and in urgent need of management and rehabilitation. The Salini Rehabilitation Project is intended to address a range of objectives which will holistically lead to the improved status of the Salina site and to the full realization of the site‟s considerable potential. The objective of this proposal is to revitalise and support the traditional industry of sea salt extraction through solar evaporisation. The aim of the project is to regenerate this site not only with regard to salt manufacture and the restoration of the salt pans, but also taking into account several other features that enrich and enhance the Salini area. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150363 Title: Maltese architecture and French military engineers during the reign of Louis XIV Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: Most historical studies on foreign influence affecting the Order of St John while in Malta focus mainly on Italian and Spanish influence. Its history is often viewed in this perspective, and particular importance is attributed to the Siculo-Spanish influence. Maltese historiography hardly highlights the extent of French influence; consequently, the heritage imparted by the French during the Order’s reign is all too often ignored or unappreciated. This paper thus proposes a new approach that aims to shed light upon the importance of French influence on Maltese architecture, by placing it in the historical context of the power games that were played within the Order itself. Furthermore, this study aims to examine how the predominant architectural styles in Europe were brought to Malta through the Order’s foreign policies which were turned towards the continent, and as from the middle of the seventeenth century, were directed towards France. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z