Mediterranean Conference Centre: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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When the [[French First Republic|French]], under [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], [[Egyptian Campaign|occupied]] Malta in 1798, they made alterations to the hospital. They improved it's ventilation, sanitation and lighting. They also however changed it to a military hospital to accomodate 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]] fired up, the hospital's efficiency began to deteriorate. Supplies like medication, fresh food, water and clothing were scarce. Diseases like [[nightblindness]], [[scurvy]], [[intestinal diseases]] and [[phthisis]]. The French capitulated on the 5th of September 1800 and it was immediately occupied by 350 [[British Army|British Troops]].

The new General Hospital now became a Station Hospital to accomomadate the wounded British soldiers being brought in by Hospital ships. This was done due to it's strategic position overlooking the harbour. This meant that the seriously injured troops could be easily and quickly transported there. The hospital so alot of action 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 of [[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 Headquaters 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|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 in 11th November 1979, the centre how it is today was inaugarated. It was later awarded the [[Europa Nostra|Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit]].

==Structure==