Mediterranean Conference Centre
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The Mediterranean Conference Centre is, as the name implies, a convention centre situated near the tip, on the eastern side, of Valletta. The building was formerly a hospital, one of the finest in Europe. Due to this it was previously known as the Holy Infirmary.
| Mediterranean Conference Centre | |
|---|---|
 | |
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| Former names | Sacra Infermeria |
| Alternative names | MCC |
| General information | |
| Type | Convention center |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Location | Valletta, Malta |
| Construction started | 7th November 1574 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 7,000 square metres |
| Website | |
| http://www.mcc.com.mt/ | |
History
The Holy Infirmary was ordered to be built by Grandmaster Jean de la Cassière on the 7th of 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 recieve 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 Phalangue was built, which was meant to accomodate 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 infrimary 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.
When the French, under Napoleon Bonaparte, 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 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 phtisis.