https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/1168 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:31:02 GMT 2026-11-10T07:31:02Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150848 Title: The parish churches of Valletta Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: Valletta was born at a time when, throughout Europe, freedom of thought was spreading. This had an effect on the Renaissance style which up to that time was somewhat stern and severe in its compositions and proportions. Through their connections with the Catholic aristocracy in Europe, the Order 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 city was therefore universally acknowledged as a perfect example of a fortified city. St Dominic’s parish church, also known as the church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo, was built in 1804 on the design of the predominantly ‘Baroque’ architect Antonio Cachia. The present building had in fact replaced an original one designed by Geronimo Cassar dating back to the 1580s. The Dominican presence in Valletta dates back to 1566 when the Dominican friars of Vittoriosa, led by Fra Damiano Taliana, used to cross the harbour to spiritually assist the pastoral needs of the everincreasing population of the new city and of the numerous labourers who were working around the clock to transform the Sceberras peninsula into a splendid and iconic city. It also seems that by 1569 the Dominican friars were already using a very small chapel in the vicinity of the first church. Grand Master Pietro Del Monte (1568-72) gave the Dominican friars the privilege of building a church in Valletta which was later dedicated to Our Lady of Porto Salvo. For this purpose Del Monte donated to the Dominican order plot number 8 according to the Valletta plan of the Officio delle Case. The ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone of this first church was held on 19 April 1571. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150848 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150749 Title: The influence of French military engineers on Maltese architecture during the reign of Louis XIV Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: The majority of historical studies on foreign influence affecting the Order of St John while in Malta focus mainly on Italian and Spanish influence. Various historians consider Malta as an extension of the vice-kingdoms of Naples or Sicily. 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; this is also due to Malta's colonial history under British domination. The negative image of France, especially due to the French occupation of the islands by General Bonaparte, was transmitted from one generation to another. Consequently, the heritage imparted by the French during the Order's reign is all too often ignored or unappreciated. Maltese architectural historians disregard this influence completely. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150749 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150748 Title: L-arkitettura tal-knisja parrokkjali ta' l-Imqabba Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: Il-knisja parrokkjali ta' l-Imqabba kienet għall-ewwel tagħmel parti mill-matriċi ta' Birmiftuħ. Fit-8 ta' Frar 1575 Monsinjur Pietru Dusina żar dan ir-raħal waqt il-Viżita Pastorali li kien qiegħed jagħmel madwar l-irħula u l-ibliet ta' Malta u Għawdex. Waqt din iż-żjara, in-nies ta' dan ir-raħal għamlu talba biex il-knisja tagħhom issir parroċċa indipendenti jew li jingħatalhom viċi-kappillan minħabba li l-knisja ta' Birmiftuħ kienet tinsab wisq 'il bogħod minn dan ir-raħal. Thu, 01 Jan 1998 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150748 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150746 Title: Malte : les interventions francaises sur les fortifications de La Valette suite à la crise de 1645 Authors: Busuttil, Claude A. Abstract: En mars 1644, des événements se préparaient en Méditerranée et Malte se trouvait sous la menace d'une attaque turque. Le 28 septembre de la même année les galères de l'Ordre de Malte, sous le commandement de Boisbeaudrant, rencontrèrent une escadre turque faisant route de Constantinople à Alexandrie. Elles l'attaquèrent et s'emparèrent d'un galion qui se trouvait être la propriété même du Grand Seigneur. Ce dernier, portait un jeune enfant, que l'on présumait être son fils Osman, escorté par le Kislar Agha, chef des eunuques noirs du Sérail. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/150746 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z