- Address: 36 Old Treasury Street, VLT 1410 Valletta
- Phones: +356 21236585; +356 21243297
- Website: www.maltalibraries.gov.mt
- Foundation date: 1776
- Architect: Stefano Ittar
- Working hours: from October 1 to June 15: Monday to Friday 8.15-17.00, Saturday 8.15-13.15; from 16 June to 30 September: Monday to Saturday 8.15-13.15
In addition to its direct functions, the National Library of Malta is one of the cultural and architectural values of the Maltese Islands. It contains valuable specimens and collections of the times of the Order of Malta and a later period, such as: a letter of November 22, 1530 with a congratulation on the acquisition of the island of Malta by King Henry VIII from the head of the Order of Malta, various official documents of the island dating from the 16th century, as well as evidence of scientific achievements of the time.
The library is one of the oldest in the world. The building itself is considered a national monument and is included in the list of architectural sights of Malta . The library reads popular science lectures, conducts various scientific conferences, events dedicated to city holidays, and exhibitions of rare documents and books from other libraries. It is located National Library of Malta in the capital of Valletta , near the palace of the head of the Order of Malta in the city center.
Collection of the National Library of Malta
The first stone in the foundation of the building was laid in the 16th century. But in 1812 the library changed the location of the location, as its funds no longer fit in the former building. In the archives of the National Library of Malta were transferred 9600 valuable copies of the private collection of Jean Louis Guérin de Tencin, master of the Order of Malta, as well as books from the libraries of the Crusaders: Order of St. John, the Università of Mdina and the Università of Valletta. Since 1976, she has been given the status of a national.
The library retains the most important documents of the development history of the Maltese state. For example, such as the papal postulate confirming the creation of the Order of St. John, 60 incunabula, including the cosmography of Ptolemy, maps of the terrain, roads and archaeological monuments from the 16th to the 20th century, made with watercolors, a collection of publications in the most magnificent bindings created for King Louis XV. Here you can see an impressive historical exhibition "The Great Siege of the Knights of St. John", accompanied by special audio and sound effects.
About the building
The building of the National Library of Malta is built in the style of neoclassicism. His project was created by the Polish-Italian architect Stefano Ittar. The structure has a symmetrical facade with magnificent Doric and Ionic columns. In the style of construction, you can catch the spirit of Italy, it is reflected in beautiful rectangular windows decorated with columns, above them are windows of oval shape. Inside the entire perimeter of the library you can see a beautiful balcony supported by the columns in the same style as outside the building, besides there is a balustrade above the entrance. Also in the hall you will see a baroque staircase leading to the second floor. The hall itself is made in a white-gray color scheme, semicircular grooves in the walls adorn busts of famous figures and inscriptions in Latin.
The building is squeezed between the buildings, and on the square, lined with neatly trimmed trees, cozy little tables of the Cafe Córdina are located. In front of the central entrance you can see a monument made of marble to Queen Victoria, its author is Giuseppe Valenti. In the grandmaster's palace, located next to the library, you can visit the armory.
How to get to the library?
You can reach the National Library of Malta in Valletta by public transport (bus number 133, stop - Arcisqof).
| | |
