Last Saturday, the students attended the magical event “Museums by Candlelight” in the city of Birgu.
In preparation for the Conference, Malta Crown students and guests visited the legendary location known as the Three Cities* in Malta.
An extraordinary atmosphere filled the area: all the historic museums within these cities were open and illuminated by candlelight. The students walked through the streets, listened to music, and even witnessed part of a parade.
* The Three Cities are among the oldest settlements in Malta, dating back to the time of the Phoenicians. These settlements existed long before the arrival of the Knights.
In 1530, the Knights of the Order of Saint John chose the city of Birgu as their base due to its strategic location and excellent harbor.
The Knights unified the existing military structures across the three cities into a single defensive system, which played a crucial role in the Great Siege of 1565 — the famous confrontation between the Maltese Knights and the Ottomans.
In preparation for the Conference, Malta Crown students and guests visited the legendary location known as the Three Cities* in Malta.
An extraordinary atmosphere filled the area: all the historic museums within these cities were open and illuminated by candlelight. The students walked through the streets, listened to music, and even witnessed part of a parade.
* The Three Cities are among the oldest settlements in Malta, dating back to the time of the Phoenicians. These settlements existed long before the arrival of the Knights.
In 1530, the Knights of the Order of Saint John chose the city of Birgu as their base due to its strategic location and excellent harbor.
The Knights unified the existing military structures across the three cities into a single defensive system, which played a crucial role in the Great Siege of 1565 — the famous confrontation between the Maltese Knights and the Ottomans.
During the walk, the students learned about the history of the Inquisitor’s Palace in the city of Birgu.
The building was constructed by the Knights for a civil court.
After the new capital, Valletta, was established, the court moved there, and the building was handed over to the Holy Inquisition.
The Inquisitors (there were 61 of them in total) held great power, ensuring the observance of religious norms and conducting trials for heresy.
Over time, the function of the palace changed: it served as a military hospital, a Museum of Fine Arts, and a Dominican monastery. After restoration, since 1964, the palace has once again become a museum, with part of its premises housing the Ethnographic Museum exhibition.
This walk helped the participants feel the spirit of Malta: to see how historical events intertwine on a small island and to appreciate the care with which its cultural heritage is preserved.
The building was constructed by the Knights for a civil court.
After the new capital, Valletta, was established, the court moved there, and the building was handed over to the Holy Inquisition.
The Inquisitors (there were 61 of them in total) held great power, ensuring the observance of religious norms and conducting trials for heresy.
Over time, the function of the palace changed: it served as a military hospital, a Museum of Fine Arts, and a Dominican monastery. After restoration, since 1964, the palace has once again become a museum, with part of its premises housing the Ethnographic Museum exhibition.
This walk helped the participants feel the spirit of Malta: to see how historical events intertwine on a small island and to appreciate the care with which its cultural heritage is preserved.
