Auberges

Auberges

History

An architectural legacy from the times of the Order of the Knights of St John in Malta

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Auberges in Birgu (Vittoriosa) 2

Auberge de France, Vittoriosa 2

Auberge d’Angleterre, Vittoriosa 3

The City of Valletta 3

Auberge d’Aragon, Valletta 3

Auberge d’Auvergne, Valletta 4

Auberge d’Italie, Valletta 4

Auberge de Provence, Valletta 5

Auberge de France, Valletta 5

Auberge de Castille, Valletta 6

Auberge D'Allemagne, Valletta 6

Auberge de Baviere/ Carnerio Palace, Valletta 6

Conclusion 7

Auberges

History

Introduction

When the Knights of the Order of Saint John arrived in Malta there first priority was to find a home. They settled in Birgu which at that time was only a small fishing village in a creek inside Grand Harbour. As Birgu lacked the facilities required, the Grandmaster constructed bastions to fortify it against any assault. The knights then began to build Auberges. The Auberges where homes for the Knights and one for every Langue was built. Seven where built, for the Langue of France, the Langue of Italy, the Langue of England the Langue of Germany, The Langue of Castille and the Langue of Aragon. The langue of Provence and of Auvergne shared an Auberge.

Auberges in Birgu (Vittoriosa)

The new Auberges were built in the year 1535. The Auberges were built next to other buildings, and most of them were far away from each other. The Auberge d’Italie lay at one end of the city, close to the walls of Fort St.Angelo. The Auberge de Castile et Leon stood alone in Quarters Front Street and the auberges of Allemagne and Angleterre although joined they faced different streets. Only three buildings of the Auberges of Provence (with Auvergne), France and Aragon formed a compact block placed side by side in Britannia Street. From the seven Auberges built only three survived, the Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence, the Auberge de France and the Auberge d'Angleterre.

Auberge de France, Vittoriosa

Auberge de...