How Did The Order Of St John’s Hospital Turn Into A Theatre?
Today marks 451 years since the Order of St John commanded for the “Sacra Infermeria,” (Holy Infirmary) to be constructed in the newly built capital city in 1574.
Over the course of the last century, the building’s use changed from hospital to theatre, but how did this change come about?
History of the building under the Order of St John
The hospital was always the Order of St John’s primary “raison d’être” as they cared for sick and weary pilgrims visiting the Holy Land, where the Order was initially set up.
On completion, the “Sacra Infermeria” was one of the earliest organised hospitals in the world. It had six large wards, each provided with an altar. The four larger ones were called “Gran Sala”, “Sala Nuova”, “Sala Vecchia” and “Sala dei Feriti” respectively. The first, dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, was 153 metres long, 10 metres wide and 9.4 metres high, overlooking the Grand Harbour.
Usually the hospital had 500 beds, at times even 745 and this number could be increased to 2,000 in case of need. Its patients were most efficiently looked after. About 2,000 patients were admitted per year.
The patients’ food was better and more carefully cooked than that of the Knights who served them, apart from the fact that it was served on silver plates to each patient. Every Knight performed this service once a week.
According to two British accounts, those of English philanthropist John Howard and Sir Richard Colt Hoare, the hospital was quite run down by the end of the 18th century.
One must keep in mind that one of the Order’s most generous contributors, the French Langue, could not pay as many responsions (contributions) due to the French Revolution. At the time, responsions were paid by religiously-owned lands to help the Order carry on with its mission which were abolished in France by the revolutionists.
So much so that the Grand Master at the time ordered for the aforementioned silver plates to be melted down into silver coins to help the Order pay its bills.
Under the French
When Napoleon’s forces came to Malta, the troops appropriated the hospital fort the troops’ exclusive use and patients from the Sacra Infermeria were cleared out of its wards: an action that would bite the French forces back when the time for revolt came.
It went on to be used as a military hospital for injured or ill soldiers when the uprisings started by the Maltese people.
Some contemporary accounts portray the hospital as severely overcrowded, a situation that mirrored the French administration’s military priorities and the intense pressure caused by the island’s blockade.
Under the British
Under the British it was used once again as a Military Hospital, first caring for injured soldiers during the Crimean war of 1854. It was during this particular conflict that Malta first earned its title of the “Nurse of the Mediterranean.”
Malta’s role in the Crimean War was first hinted at by “The Malta Times” in February 1854. The newspaper reported:
“Orders were received here from England to prepare quarters for 10,000 men. Several localities are being fitted-up; among others, the Lazzaretto and adjoining Plague Hospital, where it is said there is room for 1,000 men, and the Dockyard lofts where as many men can be housed. Convents will be used if absolutely required, but not otherwise.”
This report marked the first public indication of Malta being mobilised to support British forces, with multiple sites around the island being prepared to accommodate thousands of troops. The Lazzaretto, Plague Hospital, and Dockyard lofts were identified as key locations, with convents designated as overflow if necessary. Meanwhile, the Principal Medical Officer was instructed to remain ready to join the contingent bound for Constantinople at a moment’s notice.
At the time, the British authorities in Malta wanted to get funds for a new hospital but when their efforts failed, they went back to parliament with a new request: to improve the then-called Valletta Military Hospital. The Colonial Secretary even appointed a Commission in 1861 “to ascertain sanitary conditions.” Although, the Commission was less than satisfied with the hospital’s conditions and resources, they did not have much of a choice and proceeded to continuing using the hospital.
The next important event in the hospital’s history was when the First World War broke out in 1914. Although the Maltese islands were not at the forefront of battle, it had a crucial role of being the “Nurse of the Mediterranean” for the second time in its history. The hospital cared for thousands of injured soldiers from the frontlines.
Indeed, the hospital was used to sort through the wounded soldiers that were arriving at the harbour. From there, the soldiers were moved to the other 30 hospitals and camps all over the island. The hospital in Valletta was mainly used for dangerously ill cases which were deemed too difficult to move around. Thus, the building retained its function in its service to the public, though perhaps not the same as before.
However, in 1920, the Police Department moved into the building and in fact, the building was renamed to the “Police Depot.” In 1941, the building was renamed again due to its ever-evolving use. This time round, it started being used for the entertainment of troops.
“Theatre and cinema shows, boxing competitions, and supplies of NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes) food and drinks were provided for the troops in a small canteen. The building was subsequently named Command Hall and used also for drama and live shows and such famous actors as Sir Noel Coward and Gracie Fields mounted its stage,” writes Michael Ellul in “The Sacra Infermeria Since 1800: A Historical Survey”.
Aside from these uses, the Sacra Infermeria started to house the Rediffusion studios after its premises were bombarded in Valletta in May 1941.
Contemporary times
After the Second World War, the Long Ward was taken over by the Education Department and it was also converted into a theatre named “The Knightshall” with a separate hall dedicated to the “Children’s Theatre.”
As one might expect, years of reconstruction followed the end of the war and indeed since many lost their homes, evictees from the Mandragg area were temporarily housed in the Infermeria. Another use for the building came about later on as an Examination Hall for many students who sat for their GCSE’s. It went on to be used as a counting hall for General Elections as well for a time,
The final stage of this building’s evolution is the one we’re currently living through that knows its base to a decision made in 1978-79 to be converted into the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Since then, the MCC has hosted international conferences, concerts, operas, and theatrical productions while preserving much of the architectural heritage of the original Sacra Infermeria.
It is fun to note that although its original purpose was slowly lost, the Sacra Infermeria kept its ever evolving nature alive.
Did you know this about the Dar il-Mediterran?
Credit: Mediterranean Conference Centre
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