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Le origini della città fortificata di Mdina risalgono al periodo romano, anche se i suoi attuali confini furono definiti durante l'occupazione araba di Malta (870-c.1090). 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 ingresso 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. ; 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 ...

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-reviewed

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-reviewed

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-reviewed

Most historical accounts of Maltese architecture during the rule of the Order of St John (1530–1798) have to date focused almost exclusively on the influences of contemporary Italian and French architects. This is to be expected, as it is the natural outcome of the direct involvement of a number of Italian and French architects and military engineers who were engaged by the Order to oversee the design and construction of the island's fortifications. However, given the historical influence exerted by the Aragonese prior to the arrival of the Order and, subsequently, the seminal political influences of both langues of Castile and Aragon during the Hospitaller period, it is worthwhile to explore any tentative relations and historical synergy that could be traced between Spanish and Maltese architecture. Back in 1967, during the 'XV Congress on Architectural History', the Spanish historian Adolfo Florensa had presented a brief paper entitled 'L'Architettura di Spagna a Malta', as part of the theme 'Architecture in Malta from prehistory to the 19th century'. Almost half a century later, it is useful to revisit some of the observations made by Florensa and explore further with a view to establishing the extent and type of relationship, direct or otherwise, which one could draw between Spanish and Maltese architecture with reference to the period of the knights. The main focus of this brief communication is to analyse the possible influences of the Spanish Plateresque with reference to Maltese ecclestiastic architecture, specifically the churches designed by the Maltese architect Tumas Dingli (1591–1666). ; peer-reviewed

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-reviewed

The Ta' Braxia cemetery at Pietà was designed and planned by the Maltese architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia (1830–1907), at the time, still in his mid-twenties. It is, for all intents and purposes, the first extra-mural cemetery to be established in Malta. This book narrates the challenging religio-political context that prevailed during the mid-nineteenth century and the steadfast determination of the British colonial government, than headed by Governor Sir William Reid, to implement this project for the 'formation of a cemetery at Ta' Braxia for all denominations without distinction of creed', even when faced by opposition from conservative Catholic quarters. It traces the foundation of the cemetery from its establishment in 1855–1857, to its physical expansion around 1880. It also considers the distinctive qualities and characteristics of a garden-cemetery and the diverse typology and rich iconographical symbolism of the various funerary monuments at Ta' Braxia. The last section deals with the origins and history of the Lady Rachel Hamilton Gordon chapel (1893–94) which is the main architectural icon of the cemetery. Besides the main analytical text, the book includes several transcripts of original archival documents and contemporary newspaper reports, a comprehensive photographic documentation of the cemetery complex in its present state and a speciallycommissioned selection of architectural drawings comprising a general plan of the cemetery and plans, elevations, and sections of the memorial chapel. As James Morris wrote in a special issue of The Architectural Review dedicated to Malta (July 1969) 'in Ta' Braxia cemetery, the British presence still seems alive, and touches us more closely than any plume or gonfalon of dead grandee, aloof upon the floor of the Co-Cathedral'. ; peer-reviewed