September 2009
Some great cuttings from “The Times of Malta” ( www.timesofmalta.com ) Nos. 1 to 30
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Saturday, 30th May 2009
Underground flour mill, Telg?et ix-Xemxija, San Pawl il-Ba?ar.
This is one of seven underground flour mills constructed by the British Military Services during the Cold War period (1950s) as part of the civil defence measures in order to keep the population provided with bread. These mills were constructed as a contingency measure against Malta being affected by potential nuclear attack within the Mediterranean region by the Soviet Bloc.
The complex which is entirely cut into the rock consists of an entrance passage circa three metres wide leading to the milling chambers where generators and machinery are placed at ground and upper floors. Adjoining the milling chambers are silos for the storage of grain and placed on the higher part of the site so that grain is fed into the mills by gravity and conveyor belts.
The mill is the one of two of the kind in working order and has been restored in recent times by volunteers and the local council. Other similar mills are extant around the Maltese islands, and some are already scheduled, such as the ones at Buskett and Xlendi. The latter is the only other mill in working order and which was also restored by volunteers. MEPA is also assisting the Munxar local council with the funding of the Xlendi mill's restoration through the Environmental Initiative in Partnership Projects.
Mepa scheduled the underground flour mill in Xemxija as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/06 in the Government Gazette dated 6 June, 2006.
Il-Kunvent/Id-Dar tal-Barunissa (Id-Dar tas-Soru), l/o San Leonardu, ?a?-?abbar.
Id-Dar tal-Barunissa which is located in the limits of San Leonardu in ?abbar, was originally intended to be used as a convent but was never utilised as such. The origins of the complex go back to the construction of a chapel in 1656 dedicated to St Leonard, from which the name of the locality stems.
Various additions were constructed, the latest being the ashlar stone wall and gates surrounding the garden, dated 1905. The garden was divided by means of elevated pathways and was irrigated through stone channels and troughs. The main focus of the garden is the intricately detailed nymphaeum at the end of the garden. The stone gates in the boundary wall may also have served as belvederes during the heydays of the complex.
Since the 1970s this house became known as Id-Dar tas-Soru owing to its use as a location for a local TV series bearing that title. The gardens have been recently taken over by a neighbouring farmer and covered with soil to be used as fields.
Mepa scheduled Il-Kunvent as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/06 in the Government Gazette dated 6 June.
Thursday, 4th June 2009
Roseville is an early 20th century house built as a residence by the proprietor Dr W. Briffa. The house was built in two phases; the ground floor was built in 1912 by architect Alessandro Manara and the first floor was added in 1921 by architect Emanuele Borg in the same architectural grammar of the ground floor.
The Art Nouveau style of this house is locally a unique example and is also one of the finest and earliest examples. This house is complete and authentic in all its elements such as the architectural fabric, the decorations, including its fixtures and fittings.
The type of Art Nouveau motifs of this building indicate a French or North Italian stylistic influence. Apart from the stylised organic motifs on the façade, this is the only building in Malta where polycromy was used on the façade, such that the recessed panels were painted red, while the motifs were picked out in other colours, thus accentuating the relief and creating contrast.
Mepa scheduled Roseville as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/06 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
The restoration of Roseville is in hand following the approval of a planning application and a restoration method statement.
http://www.timesofmalta.com.mt/articles/view/20090604/opinion/roseville-triq-sant-anton-attard
Saturday, 6th June 2009
The building was constructed in the 18th century by Dr Paolo Curmi who was mayor of Zejtun and whose daughter was founder of the Sisters of Jesus of Nazareth.
This 18th century building, in Triq Sant' Anglu has a symmetrical façade constructed on one floor, the imposing main doorway of which is crowned by a balcony resting on four highly ornamented corbels. The main entrance leads along a central axis into the garden at the rear of the property. The adjacent dwelling to the south of the main building were the servants' quarters.
The garden is divided into three parts, namely, the internal courtyard with an ornate gateway and steps leading to the larger garden. The larger garden contained a central passageway leading to a belvedere overlooking this garden. The third part is the servants' garden and is accessible either through the main garden or through the adjacent servants' quarters.
MEPA scheduled Villa Curmi and the servants' quarters as a Grade 2 building of architectural and historical importance as per Government Notice number 492/06 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Tuesday, 9th June 2009
Palazzo Pescatore in St Paul's Bay.
Palazzo Pescatore in St Paul's Bay was built at the end of the 19th century and its symmetrical porticoed façades of neo-classical inspiration are similar to those of Palazzo Dragonara at St Julians.
The building is on two floors and is characterised by a verandah all around consisting of a colonnade in the Ionic order which was closed off by glass panels during the 1980s. The upper floor has a series of windows with moulded surrounds.
The palazzo used to be surrounded by a garden containing fountains and other embellishments, some of which are recent additions. Much of these gardens have now been re-developed. The interior was largely altered during the past decades when it was used as a nightclub.
A neo-classical gate with engaged Ionic columns stands at the entrance to the complex and is a landmark in its own right.
Mepa scheduled Palazzo Pescatore and its grounds as a Grade 2 building of architectural importance as per Government Notice number 492/06 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Thursday, 11th June 2009
Rural Structure, Triq Bronja c/w Triq Alessandru, ?urrieq
The locals refer to the "tower" structure as a barumbara pertaining to Xandru D'Amato, an important local personality who was involved in leading his country folk in uprising against the French in 1799.
This vernacular building originally formed part of a larger farm house complex which covered an area of approximately 225 square metres. The dominating element of the complex was this tall three-floor corner building which contains typical features of local vernacular architecture such as the small window apertures, and two miniature half pyramidal consoles on the inner side, placed symmetrically on the sides of a doorway. The structure of this three-floor building at ground floor comprises a system of stone arches supporting the roof, while the roofs of the upper floors are supported on wooden beams.
The "tower" originally included a stone coat-of-arms on its principal façade - the side overlooking Triq Alexander, bust was defaced probably during the period of the French and British occupation of Malta as a form of damnatio memorea. The date "1765" is inscribed over one of the structure's lintels. A number of 18th century ship graffiti are carved on the exterior of the structure. The graffiti depict an Order's ship attacking an Ottoman vessel. Another graffito of a ship with a crude inscription carved on a lintel was salvaged from the ruins of the adjacent farmhouse through joint cooperation between Mepa, Heritage Malta and the owner. This artefact was cleaned and conserved at Heritage Malta's Centre for Restoration and is now displayed at the National Maritime Museum.
Mepa scheduled the Rural Tower-like structure as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
http://news-about-malta-news.newslib.com/story/109-3246179/
Saturday, 13th June 2009
St George's Barracks, St Julians
St George's Baracks consist of two identical blocks built in the style typical of British colonial military architecture in the Maltese islands, and originally served as barracks of the Royal Engineers. In the centre on top of each barrack block is the British royal insignia in high relief.
During the past decades the buildings were joined together by a modern structure and accretions were also added to either end.
One of the blocks was scheduled as a Grade 2 building in 1994 as per Government Notice number 755/95 published on December 5, 1994.
The other identical block was for some reason of oversight not included with the scheduling of the Pembroke military complex in 1994.
It is being proposed that this yet - unscheduled block be afforded the same protection as its twin block due to its architectural, historical and contextual value, as well as to afford protection of this complex in a holistic manner. Mepa approved the scheduling of this property in 2006, but publication in thec Government Gazette is pending ministerial endorsement.
Tuesday, 16th June 2009
The area known as Ta' Baldu possesses various remains of archaeo-logical, cultural, historical and contextual importance. A Roman trapetum (oil press) is found in one of the caves which, to date, is still used as a catchments for water from the natural spring found nearby. This cave contains a series of rock-cut reservoirs together with a square rock-cut pillar supporting the roof bearing the inscribed date of 1629, and a stone table conveniently placed there for lunches away from the heat. The presence of the trapetum implies the existence of a Roman rustic villa in the vicinity. The cave was the subject of an illustration made in 1665 by a Dutch traveller named William Schellinkx. Since then, the cave and its contents remained much the same.
Two 17th century farmhouses are also found in the area. One of the farmhouses has an inscription, the calligraphy of which may be dated to the 18th or 19th century. These farmhouses are similar in structure in the sense that they consist of a series of rooms next to each other.
MEPA scheduled the Ta' Baldu cave complex as a Class B archaeological feature and one of the farmhouses as a Grade 2 building of architectural and contextual importance as per Government Notice number 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6 2006. The other farmhouse was designated as a Grade 3 building owing to its equally poor condition, yet within an equally important context.
http://news-about-malta-news.newslib.com/story/109-3246195/
Thursday, 18th June 2009
Palazzo Stagno
This extensive 16th century palazzo has its main entrance in the narrow Stagno Alley. The palazzo was constructed in 1589 and its façade is very plain while the apertures are surrounded by ornate mouldings. Grotesque heads embellish the lintels supporting the window pediments, each of which is different from the other.
The Palazzo consists of a main building and courtyard, adjacent to which is the main citrus garden occupying what was once a large quarry. A continuous open stone balcony used to surround the courtyard and an elaborate staircase led from this balcony into the main garden. Palazzo Stagno has its own baroque chapel at the upper floor and this is distinguishable by its red cupola from which one has an extensive view of the Island. The roof is reached through a traditional spiral staircase (garigor) having almost a hundred steps. Water lifting apparatus (sienja tal-miexi), still in a relatively good condition, is housed in the annexe to the main building. The annexe also contains the date MDLXXXIX (1589) inscribed in Roman numerals. The north boundary wall of the palazzo is what remains of a very large pigeon loft.
Mepa scheduled Palazzo Stagno and its grounds as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Saturday, 20th June 2009
This building was originally constructed by Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena in 1733 but was later acquired by the Scicluna family in 1898. Marquis Scicluna completely refurbished the building into the ultimate memorial of a pretentious noble family.
The gardens of the palace were originally vast and incorporated what was until a few years ago the popular Trade Fair grounds. In fact, the elevated pathway and belvedere within the Trade Fair grounds originally formed the end part to the Palazzo Pariso gardens and were used as a vantage point by the owners to oversee the work being carried out in the surrounding fields and long distance vistas of the island.
The garden has been split into two; namely (i) the original palace and immediate Italian gardens as one property that is being used as a tourist attraction and as a hall for receptions and (ii) the rest of the gardens that later formed part of the Trade Fair grounds.
The palace has a varied history since it housed various different uses. It originally started out as a summer residence and was later used as a barracks by the French Napoleonic troops during their sojourn in Malta, later still as a Jesuit noviciate and college and subsequently used as the stately home of Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna, whose family still owns the palace. The palace was decorated by Italian decorators and is cited as being "unique in Malta for its sheer opulence".
Mepa scheduled Palazzo Parisio and its immediate gardens as a Grade 1 national monument and the elevated pathway as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Tuesday, 23rd June 2009
Dar ix-Xemx in Nadur
This rural building datable to the early-modern period is built on two levels; the lower level is below street level on one side and is level with an open field overlooking the valley on the other. The lower level is older than the upper level. There is also a small cave partly beneath the building. This building is an example of local vernacular architecture and is still within a rural context.
The two rooms at the lower level are constructed in a typical vernacular manner, having irregularly- sized stones packed with soil and without mortar. The roofs of the lower rooms are constructed of timber beams and stone slabs (xorok) supported on stone corbels (kileb). A small number of the ceiling slabs of one of the rooms have collapsed. In front of these rooms is a verandah of two arches opening onto a yard defined by a high rubble wall. These arches were plastered with cement-based mortar, and past "maintenance" interventions caused more harm than good and now require professional restoration using traditional materials and methods. The upper level is accessed from the street into a loggia consisting of three arches. The floor of this loggia is composed of stone slabs (?angatura). The rooms at the upper level are constructed in differently sized ashlar blocks with a lime-based mortar possibly indicating that they were added later to the building.
The rooms are roofed over by means of timber beams and stone slabs. A doorway provided access to a spiral stairs (garigor) leading to the roof. The building also contains a number of other vernacular features such as a stone waterspout (mi?ieb), and supporting slabs of a sill (?arrie?a) beneath the window.
Mepa scheduled Dar ix-Xemx as a Grade 2 building of vernacular architecture as per Government Notice no. 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Thursday, 25th June 2009
The Australian Bungalow in Marsa
The Australian bungalow is the only habitable building in Malta built entirely of wood, which was specially imported from Australia.
It was brought to Malta in the 1920's as part of a scheme aimed at assisting the training of potential migrants wishing to work in Australia in the techniques and methods used in building and construction there. It was originally located in the Migrants Training Centre in the Bugeja Technical Institute at ?amrun but was relocated to the Government Experimental Farm in G?ammieri in 1930, where it remains to date.
This pre-fabricated building used to be built and dismantled in order for trainees of different courses to learn how to construct such a building by using standardised building elements in wood.
The bungalow is a freestanding wooden structure supported on short stilts and consisting of a large room with smaller ones at the ends. The front part has a verandah and has a double-pitched roof, which is very rare in the Maltese skyline. The bungalow is over 70 years old and although it has had some repair modifications carried out to it, it is still largely original.
At present it is used as a classroom by the Agricultural and Rural Development Division Department in which students are taught biology and farming at secondary school level. This unique structure in Malta is thus of substantial historical, architectural and social significance since it was an element that facilitated aspiring Maltese migrants and helped the forging of ties between Malta and Australia.
Mepa scheduled the Australian Bungalow as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice no. 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Saturday, 27th June 2009
Officers' Mess, Fort Campbell, Mellie?a
Fort Campbell was the first fort in Malta built after the introduction of aerial warfare. This building was constructed in 1937/38 as part of the Fort Campbell complex in Mellie?a. The block forms part of the Officers' Mess building and although at the extremity of the fort, it is clearly evident that it formed part of the original military compound.
The buildings within the compound were built loosely detached from each other in order to decrease the possibility of identification as being a military complex from the air. Due to the increase in aerial bombardment, the whole fort was constructed in such a way so as to resemble the terraced fields and agricultural buildings that were present in the surroundings. This gives the fort and ancillary buildings an informal non-military appearance when compared to the other forts in Malta. In fact, this innovative layout was part of its "camouflage" scheme blending it within the local rural landscape.
All the features of Fort Campbell (excluding the Officer's Mess) were scheduled as a national monument in 1997 as per Government Notice Number 008/97 published in the Government Gazette dated January 7, 1997. The Officers' Mess was scheduled as a Grade 2 building of historical importance as part of Fort Campbell as per Government Notice number 492/068 published in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Tuesday, 30th June 2009
The rubble wall in Giuseppe Calì Street, Lija
This rubble wall is over three metres high and is free-standing, built with loose stones and stands by gravity and friction without the use of mortar.
It extends to a length of approximately 48 metres and is separating the gardens of different private properties. The stone blocks of its fabric are of different sizes and proportions, and generally diminish in size in the higher areas of the wall.
The construction of the wall reveals a high level of workmanship in the laying of the stones in order to attain the required height and stability, especially by tapering the faces of the wall inward the higher it gets.
The wall represents a very interesting element of the local vernacular architectural idiom both in terms of the building techniques and also with respect to its high aesthetic qualities and good state of conservation.
This wall was at risk of being partly demolished owing to adjacent development, but through Mepa's positive intervention the wall was scheduled and therefore saved. Mepa scheduled this rubble wall as a Grade 2 element of architectural importance as per Government Notice no. 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6.
Thursday, 2nd July 2009
Palazzo Francia in Lija
This palace was originally constructed as a single-storey hunting lodge and was surrounded by a large estate consisting of fields and large gardens. The wings on either side of the main building, as well as the monumental internal and external staircases were added later. These further add to the interest and aesthetic value of the palace.
The palace is surrounded by front, rear and side gardens. The boundary wall of the back garden contains a nymphaeum and fountain.
Adjacent to the nymphaeum is a donkey-powered mill room (sienja tal-miexi) containing most of the original water lifting apparatus and which is still in a good state.
The side garden is leased to third parties for agricultural purposes. A central passageway leads to a belvedere, which offers a scenic view of the gardens and surrounding land. The interior is decorated in the fashion of the 18th century.
The palace was bequeathed to the Maltese government by the Francia family and is now used by the Office of the Prime Minister and together with its gardens, it was recently restored to its former splendour. Mepa scheduled Palazzo Francia as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice no. 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Saturday, 4th July 2009
This rural complex is composed of a mediaeval chapel and a number of rooms, parts of which are rock-cut together with an artesian well and communal oven room.
The complex, including the chapel known as Santa Marija ta' Callus and the surrounding fields and orchards are mentioned in an inventory of the Order of St John when the Assemblea confiscated this property from Josefi Callus who was charged and executed for high treason against the Grand Master. The church consists of a small cubic room with three pointed arches and other mediaeval period church architectural features. A donkey-driven flour mill (mithna tal-miexi) was located within an adjacent large cave which cave is still existent, but without the equipment.
The complex was Malta's case site in an EU-funded project call Aramis (1998-2000) through which the mediaeval complex was restored and rehabilitated by the Restoration Unit and Mepa.
The project's publication included academic contributions as well as a section about the conservation interventions on this site. Arab-period influences are evident by rural water management features. Is-Simblija is at a short distance from Ta' Baldu where Roman remains are present.
Mepa scheduled the complex at is-Simblija as Grade 2 and Class B national monuments as per Government Notice no. 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.
Tuesday, 7th July 2009
Ni??a ta' l-Infetti, Triq l-Imrie?el, Birkirkara.
The niche located in Triq l-Imrie?el, Birkirkara, was constructed between 1814 and 1816 by the Parnis family as a reminder of the plague victims of 1813. The niche is located in close proximity to the former cemetery constructed purposely for the plague victims from which it derives its name.
The niche is about 25 courses high and is constructed in the form of a bell tower. It can be accessed by means of an external staircase. The niche has three openings and contains a painting representing souls in purgatory. The uppermost part is embellished by two sculptures representing two souls emerging from the flames. The elevated parapet may have been used during remembrance celebrations for the plague victims.
The niche was at risk of damage from adjacent road and service trenching works and through MEPA's positive intervention the damage was averted.
MEPA scheduled the Niche as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated 6 June March 2006.
Thursday, 9th July 2009
Istituto Tecnico Bugeia, Sta Venera.
The Istituto Tecnico Bugeia at Sta Venera was built by the Maltese philanthropist Marquis Vincenzo Bugeia in 1903 to train orphaned children in industrial crafts in order to help them find work later on in life.
The institute contains a museum of craft and light industrial machinery and instruments which were used by the boys that attended or lived in the institute.
This palatial building on three floors is located at the corners of Triq il-Kbira San ?u?epp and Triq Fleur de Lys. It has a palisade boundary wall and an entrance gate. The building has a symmetrical façade with an ornate central bay, accessible through a flight of wide stairs that cross over an open passage below. The main portico projects forward on the façade and is flanked by two small windows and two sets of pilasters. The stone balcony is set within heavily ornate shell motifs, with carved panels at the side between the pilasters. Above is a pediment with dentils, the Bugeja coat-of-arms and foliage carvings. The main staircase is unique in Malta because its walls and ceiling are adorned with mural painted Art Nouveu floral motifs.
There are four sets of windows on each side at ground and first floor, with those on ground floor having a rounded arch and those on the first floor having pediments and balusters.
At the front corners, the façade projects again; each part having a single window in the same style of the other with the same window set-up.
All of the ground floor has grooved joints on the façade. The sides are plain with the windows on the first floor crowned with pediments. The institute is being used as the premises of ?entru ?idma So?jali for persons with physical disabilities and is taken care of by the Board of Trustees of the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeia.
Mepa scheduled the Istituto Tecnico Bugeia as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice no. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Saturday, 11th July 2009
Dejr il-Bniet complex, Dingli
Dejr il-Bniet is a rural residence at the edge of Wied Liemu (Triq Rill), Dingli. This plain and rectangular building is of local rural vernacular architecture in character, datable to the early modern period. Its front door is accessible from a double-sided stairway.
Above the door is the armorial shield of the Inguanez family. The side wall facing the passage by the valley is partly supported by a buttressed wall. Although heavily covered by foliage, no particular architectural features can be noted. On the rear, a series of ancillary rooms and the garden are located behind a high wall.
Next to the entrance is a narrow winding passageway leading down to a nymphaeum (water fountain/cave) in the baroque architectural style having pilasters supporting a semi-circular pediment. An archway leads to a rock-hewn room with a bench that could have served for the washing of clothes. In the innermost part is a small rock-cut water gallery that receives water from the natural spring. On the front is a decorative stone water spout, probably a cherub's face, which issues water into the stone trough. Above the nymphaeum are a number of natural caves.
The nymphaeum is located within Wied Liemu which contains a fresh water spring and a natural water course, the area is endowed with rich soils, reeds and numerous trees, including carob, raspberry, apricots, figs and other species.
Mepa scheduled the Dejr il-Bniet complex in Dingli as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice n. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
http://news-about-malta-news.newslib.com/story/109-3246289/
Tuesday, 14th July 2009
Isolation Hospital, Mtarfa
The Isolation Hospital at Sir David Bruce Street, Mtarfa was built by the British Services in 1924 as port of the Mtarfa Military Hospital and barracks.
It is a single floor building having a façade in the Classical order with pilasters instead of columns. It has a symmetrical bay with identical front and rear wings with pillastered verandas supporting an arched central bay.
A pediment above the veranda displays the date "1924". The veranda is roofed over four supporting pillars at left and right, with the corners formed of a cluster of three pilasters.
A central wing is connected to the two flanking wings by a closed corridor of matching exterior. The wing consists of the power and boiler rooms. Its sides are identical and balanced having a central portal with pediment above and three windows at left and right set between pilasters. A frieze and a cornice run along the entire roof.
A decade ago vandals set on fire the rear wing of the hospital and some rooms, the veranda and the exterior fabric suffered considerable damage. The slabs in some of the smaller rooms collapsed.
The remainder of the building is still in a good condition although neglected. Mepa scheduled the Isolation Hospital in Mtarfa as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice No. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
http://news-about-malta-news.newslib.com/story/109-3246281/
Thursday, 16th July 2009
Army Chaplain's Department, M?arr
This is the only known surviving British Army Chaplain's Department in Malta and was built in the early 20th century.
This house was the residence of Fr Edgar Salomone, parish priest of M?arr who was one of the first Maltese Chaplains (Captain) of World War II and who served and saw action in various theatres of the war.
The Army Chaplain's Department in Dun Edgar Street is a onestorey building with a central arched doorway, flanked by square-headed windows with moulded surrounds.
On each corner are rusticated quoins, while the central entrance has rusticated voussoirs. At the centre of the roof parapet wall above the door is a heraldic shield or coat of arms. At the top of the windows in the centre there is a badge. The cornice has a dentil running along its front. Two stone urns stand at each corner of the roof parapet wall.
Mepa scheduled the Army Chaplains Department in M?arr as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice no. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
http://malta-news.newslib.com/story/109-3246273/
Saturday, 18th July 2009
It-Torri tal-Kaptan, Qrendi
It-Torri tal-Kaptan is at Triq it-Torri, Qrendi and is unique in Malta as it is octagonal in plan.
It was built in the late mediaeval period and consists of three stories with a square cordon between the ground and first floor and a rounded cordon between the second and third floor.
On each side at roof level are machicoulis or "drop boxes", set in a single or double width alternatively.
There is a window on each side of the north, south, east and west façades. The tower is surrounded by an array of earlier, contemporary and later buildings and courtyards forming one of the most interesting examples of architectural development in these islands.
The tower's main entrance is located within the adjoining residence which was originally a mediaeval mill room or chapel with a courtyard which might have served as a parvis or cemetery. The date 1605 is inscribed above one of the room's doorway. The property includes a Second World War shelter.
Mepa scheduled It-Torri tal-Kaptan as a Grade 1 national monument and the adjacent property of which it forms part as a Grade 2 complex of architectural and historical importance as per Government Notice no. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Tuesday, 21st July 2009
Officers' Mess, Mtarfa
The British Services Officer's Mess was built in 1893 and is located in Sir Arthur Freemantle Street, Mtarfa. It is a late neo-classical style palatial building of the late Victorian era, three storeys high and with numerous arched verandahs both externally and surrounding the large central courtyard.
The façade has a highly ornate central bay with an arched portico at ground floor and a terrace at the first floor, a balustraded balcony at second floor and ends with a frontispiece. The first and second floors are receded.
The verandah is supported by five columned arches at each side and a tower at each end; all ornamented with coat of arms and grooved joints. Most frontal panels are supported by pilasters in the composite order.
The east side is rather plain and the west side consists of two floors of arched verandahs and a receded second floor. The rear is very irregularly formed, yet balanced and has a service or vehicular entrance set-back at the rear.
The courtyard consists of three tiers of arched verandahs all around, with those of the first floor being more of a neo-Norman order.
Mepa scheduled the Officers' Mess in Mtarfa as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice no. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
http://news-about-malta-news.newslib.com/story/109-3246306/
Thursday, 23rd July 2009
Villa Buleben, ?a?-?ebbu?
This is actually an 18th century palazzo at Triq il-Madonna, ?a?-?ebbu? built on two floors. It has a symmetrical façade consisting of a central doorway with an open balcony above, set on a continuous corbel, large moulded windows, pilasters at the corners and a cornice at the roofline. Arches on the door and balcony, as well as all windows have double roll mouldings. The windows at ground floor have a security iron grille protruding at the base.
One of the palazzo's chambers has murals painted in tromp l'oeil, consisting of a theatre-like stage onto which "neighbouring onlookers" are peeping. The metal grilles on the apertures in the painting are very similar to the actual ones on the façade of the palazzo thus the representation may be of the same palazzo. To the north of the building is a large, wrought iron gateway supported by square pillars which leads to a large side garden.
Other differently sized gardens, stables and possible servants quarters compliment this estate.
Just opposite this palazzo is the Chapel of Our Lady of Forsaken Souls which used to serve as the chapel of this palazzo.
Mepa scheduled Villa Buleben, ancillary structures and gardens as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice no. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Saturday, 25th July 2009
Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana
The Phoenicia Hotel was built in 1947 by Mabel Strickland as the first luxury hotel in Malta, and remains one of the best luxury hotels to date. Lady Strickland named the hotel after the Phoenicians, whom she claimed to be the original ancestors of both the Maltese and the British. Her obsession with this conjecture was deeply rooted in the politics of the time, and the Pheonicia Hotel is, therefore, rare tangible evidence related to Malta's history and politics of the past.
The hotel is located at King Edward VII Road in Floriana and has a trapezoidal plan, with the two main wings along the slanting sides. The central space was originally an open courtyard but was roofed over in the 1960s as a lounge area.
The architectural treatment of the façade is eclectic, reminiscent of Egyptianising motifs applied to classical architectural elements. The most striking feature of the façade is the portico. It consists of three arches at the front and one on each side, supported on pilasters. On the frieze below the cornice is the hotel's name in large bronze letters, below which are a number of roundels. So much attention was paid to detail that all balconies have elaborately designed cast iron railings, and all water drain pipes are also in cast iron, most of which are ornamented. An additional floor was built in the 1990s in complete out of sync with the original architecture. The hotel is complimented with extensive gardens and pool area that stretch down to Marsamxetto Harbour and which are actually located within the ditch and glacis of the Valletta landfront fortifications.
Mepa scheduled the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice No. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Tuesday, 4th August 2009
St Catherine's chapel, Naxxar
This Chapel is located in Wied il-G?asel, limits of Naxxar. It is a late mediaeval chapel composed of a single chamber, with an east-end aspe having an altar and a west-facing door. The roof is slightly pitched. The façade consists of a small arched door with a small round window above and an eroded coat of arms on each side.
Between the door and window is a small plaque with a Latin inscription. This chapel still has a small marble inscription: non gode l'immunità ecclesiastica which were placed at all churches and chapels negating the right for lawbreakers to seek protection from the authorities if they hide in churches. A bell cot on the roof was a later addition.
On the left of the door is a small hole in the wall from which oil and produce were once donated by farmers and passers-by to support the chapel's needs.
The east-end wall around the altar has polychromed mural decorations with roundels containing saints which were whitewashed over at an unknown period.
Unfortunately, in the early 1990s while scraping off the whitewash for repainting, parts of the mural decorations were also damaged unknowingly, but later works progressed in a way that the remaining parts of the murals were cleaned and restored professionally and saved for the enjoyment of all.
Recently, the chapel was restored and the door was recently changed to a metal one for security purposes and the six deteriorated stone waterspouts were replaced by new ones. The chapel has a parvis at front surrounded with a low stone wall. The chapel also has graffiti on its external walls dated to 1766, 1795 and 1897.
Mepa scheduled St Catherine's chapel in Naxxar as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice No. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Thursday, 30th July 2009
This chapel is located in Wied il-G?asel, limits of Naxxar. It is a late medieval chapel composed of a single chamber, with an east-end aspe having an altar and a west-facing door. The roof is slightly pitched. The façade consists of a small arched door with a small round window above and an eroded coat of arms on each side. Between the door and window is a small plaque with a Latin inscription. This chapel still has a small marble inscription: non gode l' immunita' ecclesiastica which were placed at all churches and chapels negating the right for lawbreakers to seek protection from the authorities if they hide in churches. A bell cot on the roof was a later addition. On the left of the door is a small hole in the wall from which oil and produce were once donated by farmers and passers by to support the chapel's needs. The east-end wall around the altar has polychromed mural decorations with roundels containing saints which were whitewashed over at an unknown period. Unfortunately, in the early 1990s, while scraping off the whitewash to for repainting parts of the murals, decorations were also damaged unknowingly, but later works progressed in a way that the remaining parts of the murals were cleaned and restored professionally and saved for the enjoyment of all.
Recently, the chapel was restored and the door was recently changed to a metal one for security purposes and the six deteriorated stone waterspouts were replaced by new ones. The chapel has a parvis at front surrounded with a low stone wall. The chapel also has graffiti on its external walls dated to 1766, 1795 and 1897.
Mepa scheduled St Catherine's chapel in Naxxar as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Saturday, 1st August 2009
St Lu?ija chapel, Gudja
St Lu?ija chapel is located in Tarxien Road on the outskirts of Santa Lu?ija and close to the borders of Gudja and G?axaq. It is composed of a single room, late mediaeval chapel with an east-end apse with an altar and a west facing door.
The roof is slightly pitched and the façade consists of a plain square-headed door with a small window on each side. A bell cot stands on the roof directly above the door and is a later addition.
In 1744 the sacristy was built on the northern flank and a cemetery added in front of the parvis. The cemetery was most probably heavily disturbed when the present road was constructed in the 1970s. The apse behind the main altar was walled up in 1839 and this date is incised on the wall.
Of interest are a number of tubular ducts running beneath the chapel to channel rainwater and to act as an air flow to prevent humidity. The chapel has a parvis at the front and has a small landscaped area around it. The chapel has recently undergone 'maintenance' and repairs.
Mepa scheduled St Lu?ija chapel in Santa Lu?ija as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Saturday, 8th August 2009
Sisters' Quarters, Mtarfa
This two-storey-building built in 1924 as shown by a scroll at the centre of the roof wall. It served as the quarters for nuns who served as nurses at the ex-British Military Hospital complex of Mtarfa.
It is located at the corners of Triq Dar il-Kaptan and Triq il-Konti F. Theuma Castelletti in Mtarfa and has a façade with a veranda with nine arches supported on pilasters. The central arch has two pilasters on either side.
The first floor is receded with a balustraded terrace.
The western façade also has a veranda at ground floor with five arches and a terrace at first floor supported by four square columns. On each corner is a tower with arches at ground and first floors.
The east and south faces are irregular but both contain verandas, terraces, arches and plain sections.
The building is abandoned and has been vandalised several times.
One of the front rooms has been gutted by fire in more recent times and although the stone suffered some damage the building is otherwise still in a good condition.
What is likely to be a World War II air-raid shelter was uncovered during rock excavations for social housing adjacent to building.
It is possible that this shelter was for the use by the sisters/nurses during air raids.
Mepa scheduled the Sisters' Quarters in Mtarfa as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice number 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008.
Tuesday, 11th August 2009
Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja, Sta Venera
The conservatorio is located at Triq il-Kbira San ?uzepp in Sta Venera and was built as a home for orphans by Vincenzo Bugeja, after whom the building is named.
The palatial building is surrounded by a palisaded boundary wall and a monumental gate with a secondary columned portal of classical architectural features within which is a bronze bust of Vincenzo Bugeja. Within the gate are two guardrooms. A statue of StVincent Ferreri, protector of orphans stands in the centre of the front garden. The main building consists of a circular chapel at the centre. Two porphyry sarcophagi in the chapel contain the remains of Marquis Bugeja and his wife.
The chapel is flanked by two large wings connected by a wide corridor. The wings are surrounded by an arched veranda. The windows are arched and others have pediments, with panelling and pilasters. The parapet wall is composed of stone balustrades.
The Conservatorio is still in use and very well kept and is owned and administered by the Board of Trustees of the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeia.
Mepa scheduled the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeia at Sta Venera as a Grade 2 national monument as per Government Notice no. 628/08 in the Government Gazette dated July 12, 2008