- Address: Malta, Valletta, Archbishop Street (Archbishop's Street)
- Established: 1592.
- Style: Baroque
- Opening hours: 6.00 - 12.30
Any mention of Malta in most people first causes association with the Knights of the Order, religion and its heritage. Therefore, with a closer acquaintance with the Mediterranean island, one can not miss the Jesuit church in its capital, Valletta .
How did it all start?
The building of the church is almost the oldest of its kind on the island, and the church itself is the largest in the Maltese diocese. A little later, they built a college. Ignatius de Loila was the founder of the Order of the Jesuits, even later, after his death, he was ranked among the saints and the college began to bear his name, his mind belonged to many ideas for the development of the Order. It was his desire in 1553 to build a Jesuit college near the Jesuit church in Valletta.
But almost half a century the order was awaiting the approval of the Vatican, until finally the Pope Clement VIII gave written permission for this. As a result, the first stone was laid only September 4, 1595 Martin Garzese master order of the Hospitallers, who patronized the needy pilgrims. The college was built as a church, where after the literacy and theology of future priests were taught. Together with the church he occupied a whole city block.
Religious complex then and today
In the first half of the 16th century, an unforeseen explosion occurred on the church land, as a result, both buildings were seriously damaged. The military engineer Francesco Buonamichi of Lucca, a member of the Order of Hospitallers, a well-known architect of Europe of that time, was engaged in the reconstruction and restoration. This was his first work in the Holy Land.
The new appearance of the church was created in the baroque style, and the interior in a classic light Roman style, otherwise - Doric. The facade of the church is decorated with spiral columns. It is in this form that the historical relic has survived to our days, the old image is lost forever. Inside the church there is a picture of the artist Pretti "The Emancipation of St. Paul".
The Jesuit order led the college until 1798, when, due to the French occupation, the great master Manuel Pinto da Fronseque had to leave the island and settle temporarily on the island of Rhodes.
Years later the educational activity of the college was restored, and he himself was renamed Maltese University, which still works today, but not in church but in the scientific direction. The Church is its integral part.
How to visit?
You can reach the church by public transport - bus number 133, stop Nawfragju. The historical complex is open to tourists from 6 am to 12:30 pm.
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