Mediterranean Conference Centre: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox building

{{Infobox building) the sacra infermenia

| name = Mediterranean Conference Centre

| native_name = Dar il-Mediterran għall-Konferenzi

| native_name_lang = mt

| former_names = Sacra Infermeria

| image = Sacra Infermeria in 2016.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| image_caption = The MCC in September 2016

| coordinates = {{coord|35|53|58.2|N|14|31|4.8|E|display=inline,title}}

| former_names = Sacra Infermeria<br>Holy Infirmary

| alternate_names = MCC

| status = Intact

| image = Malta - Valletta - Triq il-Mediterran-Triq it-Tramuntana - Mediterranean Conference Centre 01 ies.jpg

| building_type = [[Hospital]] (now [[Convention center|conference centre]])

| image_caption = The MCC undergoing restoration

| map_type architectural_style =

| altitude =

| building_type = Convention center

| architectural_style = [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]

| structural_system =

| cost =

| ren_cost =

| location = [[Valletta]], [[Malta]]

| address =

| client =

| owner =

| current_tenants =

| landlord start_date = 1574

| coordinates =

| start_date = 7th November 1574

| completion_date =

| renovation_date = 1596–1712

| inauguration_date =

| heightowner = [[Government of Malta]]

| width material = [[Limestone]]

| floor_area = {{convert|7,000|m2|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=Malta Country Report 2008: The largest conference centre of the island of Malta|url=https://issuu.com/countryprofilermaltaltd/docs/cp-_countryprofiler_malta_2008|publisher=CountryProfiler Malta Limited|date=17 September 2008|page=125}}</ref>

| length = 155 metres

| floor_countarchitect = probably [[Girolamo Cassar]]

| website = [http://www.mcc.com.mt/ www.mcc.com.mt]

| floor_area = 7,000 square metres

| main_contractor =

| website = http://www.mcc.com.mt/

| architect =

| architecture_firm =

| structural_engineer =

| services_engineer =

| civil_engineer =

| other_designers =

| quantity_surveyor =

| awards =

| ren_architect =

| ren_firm =

| ren_str_engineer =

| ren_serv_engineer =

| ren_civ_engineer =

| ren_oth_designers =

| ren_qty_surveyor =

| ren_awards =

| references =

}}

The '''Mediterranean Conference Centre''' ('''MCC''', {{lang-mt|Dar il-Mediterran għall-Konferenzi}}) is a [[Convention center|conference centre]] in [[Valletta]], [[Malta]]. The building was built as a [[hospital]] in the 16th century by the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of St. John]], and it was known as the '''Sacra Infermeria''' or the '''Holy Infirmary''' ({{lang-mt|Il-Furmarija}}).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cassar Pullicino |first1=Joseph |title=The Order of St. John in Maltese folk-memory |journal=Scientia |date=October–December 1949 |volume=15 |issue=4 |page=160 |url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2015(1949)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417173522/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20%28Malta%29/Scientia.%2015%281949%294%28Oct.-Dec.%29/01.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="morana">{{cite book|last=Morana|first=Martin|date=2012|title=Ara x'int tgħid: glossarju enċiklopediku ta' termini storiċi, toponimi, qwiel u idjomi, tradizzjonijiet Maltin, kurżitajiet oħra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UxWEmwEACAAJ|publisher=Martin Morana|language=mt|pages=69–70|isbn=9789995703608|oclc=830362895}}</ref> It was known as the '''Grand Hôspital''' during the [[French occupation of Malta]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Savona-Ventura|first=Charles|date=2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SrA_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA304|title=Knight Hospitaller Medicine in Malta [1530-1798]|publisher=Lulu|page=304|isbn=978-1326482220}}</ref> and during the British period was named as the '''Station Hospital'''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/handle/123456789/15640/Valletta%20-%20A%20city%20in%20history_A5.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title=Archived copy |access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319195031/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/handle/123456789/15640/Valletta%20-%20A%20city%20in%20history_A5.pdf |archive-date=19 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The '''Mediterranean Conference Centre''' (MCC) is a building situated near the tip, on the eastern side, of [[Valletta]]. The building was formerly a [[hospital]] and was previously known as the '''Sacra Infermeria'''. Today it is a [[convention centre]] used for multiple banquets, exhibitions, international conventions and theatrical shows.

It was one of the leading hospitals in Europe until the 18th century, and remained in use until 1920.<ref name=nicpmi/> It had a capacity to keep from 500 to 2,500 patients.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.academia.edu/4009231 | title=Palaces and Lodgings of the Knights of St John at Malta | first=Stephen | last=Degiorgio | access-date=16 May 2018 }}</ref> The building is now used for multiple banquets, exhibitions, international conventions and theatrical shows.

==History==

===Hospital===

The Holy Infirmary was ordered to be built by [[Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller|Grandmaster]] [[Jean de la Cassière]] on the 7 November 1574, after a Chapter General, to replace the already existing one in [[Birgu]]. Construction instigated in the same year. It was completed towards the end of the 16th Century. It was meant to receive Maltese and foreign patients, as well as to provide lodging to pilgrims travelling to the [[Jerusalem|Holy Land]]. It also had two pharmacies. In 1596 a phalange was built, which was meant to accommodate the patients suffering from venereal and contagious diseases. In 1636, one of the pharmacies was closed down. During the reign of Grand Master [[Raphael Cotoner]], the infirmary was enlarged, having more wards added. This work continued until 1666, during the reign of Raphael’s successor and brother, [[Nicolas Cotoner]]. The ‘Old Ward’ was also extended. Also during his reign, in 1676, a School of Anatomy and Surgery was established in the infirmary itself. A dissection room was built in the infirmary due to the school, which was later on moved to the site of the graveyard outside the infirmary. More work was carried out in 1712, during the reign of Grandmaster [[Ramon Perellos y Roccaful]]. These included a Quadrangle, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, a laboratory and a pharmacy.

The Holy Infirmary was ordered to be built by [[List of Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller|Grand Master]] [[Jean de la Cassière]] on 7 November 1574, after a Chapter General, to replace the one in [[Birgu]]. Construction began the same year. It was completed towards the end of the 16th century. Its architect is not known,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Maltese Architect Gerolamo Cassar|url=https://www.angelfire.com/ma/maltarchitecture/cassar.html|website=Malta Architecture|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709102121/http://www.angelfire.com/ma/maltarchitecture/cassar.html|archive-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> but it is usually attributed to [[Girolamo Cassar]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Schiavone|first1=Michael J.|title=Dictionary of Maltese Biographies Vol. 1 A-F|date=2009|publisher=Pubblikazzjonijiet Indipendenza|location=[[Pietà, Malta|Pietà]]|isbn=9789993291329|pages=520–521}}</ref>

[[File:Great Ward of the Holy Infirmary (32554).jpg|thumb|left|The Great Ward in 2023]]

It was meant to receive Maltese and foreign patients, as well as to provide lodging to pilgrims travelling to the [[Holy Land]]. It also had two pharmacies. In 1596 a phalange was built, which was meant to accommodate the patients with venereal and contagious diseases. In 1636, one of the pharmacies was closed down.

During the reign of Grand Master [[Raphael Cotoner]], the infirmary was enlarged, with more wards added. This work continued until 1666, during the reign of Raphael's successor and brother, [[Nicolas Cotoner]]. The ‘Old Ward’ was also extended. During his reign, in 1676, a School of Anatomy and Surgery was established in the infirmary itself.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/44273/1/Nazzjon_15-12-18_Is-sacra%20infermeria.PDF |title=Is-Sacra InfErmeria |date=15 December 2018|website=www.um.edu.mt}}</ref> A dissection room was built in the infirmary due to the school, which was later shifted to the site of the graveyard outside the infirmary. More work was carried out in 1712, during the reign of Grand Master [[Ramon Perellos y Roccaful]]. These included a Quadrangle, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, a laboratory and a pharmacy.

When the [[French First Republic|French]], under [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], [[French occupation of Malta|occupied]] Malta in 1798, they made alterations to the hospital. They improved its ventilation, sanitation and lighting. They also changed it to a military hospital to accommodate the sick French sailors and soldiers, which resulted in the name change from Sacra Infermeria to Hopital Militaire. As soon as the Maltese [[Siege of Malta (1798–1800)|insurrection]] began, the hospital's efficiency began to deteriorate. Supplies like medication, fresh food, water and clothing were scarce.<ref name="auto"/> Diseases like [[nightblindness]], [[scurvy]], [[intestinal diseases]] and [[Tuberculosis|phthisis]] were common. The French capitulated on 5 September 1800 and it was immediately occupied by 350 [[British Army|British Troops]].

[[File:The Great Ward of the Station Hospital, Malta, circa 1906 Wellcome L0023272.jpg|thumb|Great Ward of the hospital in 1906 with entire original ceiling]]

The new General Hospital now became a Station Hospital to accommodate the wounded British soldiers being brought in by Hospital ships. This was done due to Station Hospital's strategic position overlooking the [[Grand Harbour|harbour]]. This meant that the seriously injured troops could be easily and quickly transported there.<ref name="auto"/> The hospital saw much use mainly during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the [[Crimean War]] and the [[First World War]]. In fact, by World War I, Malta was known as the 'Nurse of the [[Mediterranean]]'. Between 1863 and 1865 more alterations were made to improve the building.

The Station Hospital was brought to an end in 1918, by the conclusion of the Great War.<ref name="auto"/>

===Subsequent uses===

[[File:Sacra Infermeria.png|thumb|left|The building today, as seen from the [[Lower Barrakka Gardens]]]]

From 1920 until May 1940 it served as the headquarters of the [[Law enforcement in Malta|Malta Police Force]].<ref name="auto"/> The building is mentioned in the Antiquities List of 1925.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protection of Antiquities Regulations 21st November, 1932 Government Notice 402 of 1932, as Amended by Government Notices 127 of 1935 and 338 of 1939. |url=https://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=2627 |website=[[Malta Environment and Planning Authority]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419101304/https://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=2627 |archive-date=19 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was evacuated during the [[Second World War]] during which it took four direct hits, which destroyed certain parts of it. After the War, the part of the 'Great Ward' which remained became a Command Hall for the [[Allies of World War II|Allied Troops]]. It remained so until 1950. Afterwards it became a Children's Theatre for a year. In 1959, the centre became a school and an examination centre. Restoration was attempted multiple times, however in 1978 a full restoration started and on 11 November 1979, the current centre was inaugurated. It was later awarded the [[Europa Nostra|Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit]].<ref name="auto"/>

The centre has since housed many conferences, meetings, summits and other events, such as the [[Valletta Summit on Migration]] and the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Attard|first1=Rachel|title=8,000 people, many heads of state participating in Valletta Summit on Migration and CHOGM|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-10-31/local-news/Over-8-000-people-many-heads-of-state-participating-in-Valletta-Summit-on-Migration-and-CHOGM-6736144540|access-date=12 November 2015|work=[[The Malta Independent]]|date=31 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115115153/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-10-31/local-news/Over-8-000-people-many-heads-of-state-participating-in-Valletta-Summit-on-Migration-and-CHOGM-6736144540|archive-date=15 November 2015}}</ref>

The Sacra Infermeria is listed on the [[National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]].<ref name=nicpmi>{{cite web|title=Sacra Infermeria|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/01137.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229230359/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/01137.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 December 2014|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|access-date=17 October 2015|date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

On 20 November 2016, the centre was the official venue for the [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016|Junior Eurovision Song Contest of the same year]]. It also held the ''2016 Malta Eurovision Song Contest'' earlier that year in January. The venue was also used for 'Vocal Aid' singings by Stage Coach Malta.

==Architecture==

The Sacra Infermeria originally had two wards with a central [[courtyard]], but was subsequently enlarged to have six large wards.<ref name=nicpmi/> The main hall was once the largest hall in Europe with a length of 480 feet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gutenberg.readingroo.ms/4/1/2/6/41263/41263-8.txt |title=The Mediterranean Its Storied Cities and Venerable Ruins |date=2 November 2012 |website=gutenberg.readingroo.ms |format=PDF |access-date=2019-06-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cassar Pullicino |first1=Joseph |title=The Order of St. John in Maltese folk-memory |journal=Scientia |date=October–December 1949 |volume=15 |issue=4 |page=149 |url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2015(1949)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417173522/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20%28Malta%29/Scientia.%2015%281949%294%28Oct.-Dec.%29/01.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also has a monumental staircase designed in the form of a flight of stairs going down against a wall and then turn midway opposite the other side of the wall.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Bugeja|first1=Lino|last2=Buhagiar|first2=Mario|last3=Fiorin|first3=Stanley|date=1993|title=Artistic, architectural and ecclesiastical aspects|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_47iAAAAMAAJ&q=Verdelin+valletta|publisher=Malta University Services|page=446|isbn=9990944024}}</ref> The corridors and underground halls have vaulted ceilings in the form of a cross.<ref>{{cite book|last=Garofalo|first=Emanuela|date=2016|title=Crociere e Lunette in Sicilia e in Italia Meridionale nel XVI Secolo|url=http://www.cosmedweb.org/pdf_pubbl/crociere.pdf|publisher=Edizioni Caracol|language=it|page=31|location=Palermo|isbn=978-88-98546-59-6|doi= 10.17401/CROCIERE-LUNETTE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616080437/http://www.cosmedweb.org/pdf_pubbl/crociere.pdf|archive-date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

==Further reading==

When the [[French First Republic|French]], under [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], [[Egyptian Campaign|occupied]] Malta in 1798, they made alterations to the hospital. They improved its ventilation, sanitation and lighting. They also changed it to a military hospital to accommodate the sick French sailors and soldiers, which resulted in the name change from Sacra Infermeria to Hopital Militaire. As soon as the Maltese [[Siege of Malta (1798-1800)|insurrection]] began, the hospital's efficiency began to deteriorate. Supplies like medication, fresh food, water and clothing were scarce. Diseases like [[nightblindness]], [[scurvy]], [[intestinal diseases]] and [[Tuberculosis|phthisis]] were common. The French capitulated on 5 September 1800 and it was immediately occupied by 350 [[British Army|British Troops]].

*{{cite journal|journal=Scientia|last=Cassar|first=Paul|date=1946|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2012(1946)2(Apr.-Jun.)/02.pdf|title=The Hospital of the Order of St. John in Malta|volume=12|issue=2|pages=59–71}}

*{{cite journal|journal=Scientia|last=Critien|first=A.|date=1948|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2014(1948)3(Jul.-Sept.)/01.pdf|title=A Round of the Holy Infirmary Wards|volume=14|issue=3|pages=112–127}}

==References==

The new General Hospital now became a Station Hospital to accommodate the wounded British soldiers being brought in by Hospital ships. This was done due to its strategic position overlooking the harbour. This meant that the seriously injured troops could be easily and quickly transported there. The hospital saw much use mainly during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], the [[Crimean War]] and the [[First World War]]. In effect by World War I Malta was known as the 'Nurse of the [[Mediterranean]]'. Between 1863 and 1865 more alterations were made to improve the building. In 1887, the [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[microbiologist]] [[David Bruce (microbiologist)|David Bruce]] and the [[Maltese people|Maltese]] doctor [[Giuseppe Caruana Scicluna]] discovered the germ [[Brucellosis]] in this building. The Station Hospital was brought to an end in 1918, by the conclusion of the Great War. From then up till May 1940 it served as the headquarters of the [[Law enforcement in Malta|Malta police Force]]. It was evacuated during the [[Second World War]] during which it took four direct hits, which destroyed certain parts of it. After the War, the part of the 'Great Ward' which remained became a Command Hall for the [[Allies of World War II|Allied Troops]]. It remained so till 1950. Afterwards it became a Children's Theatre for a year. In 1959, the centre became a school and an examination centre. Restoration was attempted multiple times, however in 1978 a full restoration started and on 11 November 1979, the current centre was inaugurated. It was later awarded the [[Europa Nostra|Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit]].

{{reflist}}

==External links==

==Famous surgeons and students of the Holy Infirmary==

{{commons category-inline}}

*[[Mikiel'Ang Grima]]

*{{Official website|https://www.mcc.com.mt/}}

{{commonscat|Mediterranean Conference Centre}}

{{Junior Eurovision Song Contest venues}}

{{coord|35.8995|14.5180|type:landmark_region:MT|display=title}}

{{Valletta}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Valletta]]

[[Category:DefunctHospitals hospitalsestablished in the 16th century]]

[[Category:Hospitals disestablished in 1920]]

[[Category:Theatres in Malta]]

[[Category:Defunct hospitals in Malta]]

[[Category:National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]]

[[Category:Convention centers in Malta]]