Take A Look At Malta’s Most Lustrous And Lesser Known Auberges
Auberge is the French word for inn, and while Malta’s auberges look like no inn we’ve ever been in, that’s exactly what they were.
These inns were sectioned according to languages not countries, so basically since the Knights from Castille and those from Portugal had the same mother tongue, they partnered up to have a conjoined inn. Thus it was called the Auberge de Castille et Portugal.
And while we’re all very familiar with some of the island’s most popular auberges (or bereġ in Maltese), others are lesser-known jewels.
Now remember that the Knights first settled in Cottonera, and then after some time moved to Valletta, so we totally have two sets of auberges on the island… or at least we had. Sadly, most of the auberges do not exist anymore, as they were either replaced or demolished.
The auberges d’Allemagne (Germany) were both totally destroyed. The one in Birgu was replaced with houses, while the one in Valletta was demolished to make way for the Anglican Cathedral. Probably, the British were a bit salty over the whole WW2 thing so they destroyed them out of angst.
The Auvergne auberge (France) in Valletta stood where we have the Law Courts today. That one was just bombarded during the war. The Auberge de France was also demolished and replaced by the GWU building.
But here are nine beauties that survived.
1. Auberge d’Italie, Birgu
By Continentaleurope – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/…
Italian Knights were in the majority when it came to the Order of St. John. They occupied more prestigious ranks within the order. This auberge had a small hospital and a chapel incorporated within it, and was the only one built outside the collacchio — the busiest area of town.
This berġa saw quite some damage throughout the years. It was first built in the 16th Century by the Knights. During the war it was badly damaged by the attacks and bombs so it was rebuilt again in the 60s.
The guys from the 60s totally butchered it and did to the original façade what that sculptor did to that Cristiano Ronaldo bust.
2. Auberge de Castille et Portugal, Birgu
The first Birgu Auberge was so brutally ravaged that not even its original location is known. A second one was built in Hilda Tabone Street. It was designed in a traditional Maltese style and housed the Knights until the famous Valletta one was built.
The Birgu Auberge still exists, however it was heavily made over by time and most of its original designs are gone. Nowadays, it’s a privately owned building, but it’s still listed down as a national treasure.
3. Auberge d’Italie, Valletta
Thank God, nobody from the 60s touched this one. It was built between 1570-71, designed by Girolamo Cassar and Gio Andrea Farrugia.
Since the Italians are tacky people, whenever a new style came in vogue, they renovated their damn Auberge, so this place was made over a lot. It was built in a Mannerist style, converted into Baroque and given a rustic style.
After some time, the building was just left in peace, used by both the French and the British. Nowadays it is scheduled to be opened to the public as the National Museum of Arts, MUŻA.
4. Auberge de Castille et Portugal, Valletta
Nowadays only known as il-berġa ta Kastilja, this Mannerist building was built in the 1570s and originally housed Knights from León, Portugal and Castile. When Grandmaster Pinto came about in the 18th century, he made over the building and rebuilt it in the Spanish Baroque style.
During the French occupation, it was used as headquarters for the French forces, thus suffered some damage during the 1798 blockade.
When the British came over, they used it as a residence for the British officers, and as usual, the British decided to add some sort of architectural monstrosity to it — this time, a signalling station and aerial on the roof.
Eventually, after we acquired our independence, the Office of the Prime Minister moved to this Auberge.
5. Auberge d’Aragon, Birgu
This one housed the Knights from Catalonia, Aragon and Navarre. It was constructed back in the 16th century, and is also found in Hilda Tabone Street in Birgu.
Sadly the building has undergone so many renovations that very little of its original features remained. But renovations apart, it’s still scheduled by Mepa as a Grade 1 National Monument.
6. Auberge d’Aragon, Valletta
This is the only auberge which was left in its original mannerist style. Hence why it looks a bit plain compared to the other auberges in Valletta.
The British decided to add a weird door to it, because why leave buildings untouched? Although this building did not see many architectural changes, it saw many functional ones.
During the British rule it was leased out to a Bishop. Later on it was used as a printing press, a school and a hospital. It even housed the Office of the Prime Minister, until it eventually went over to the Deputy Prime Minister.
7. Auberge de France, Birgu
Although the one in Valletta doesn’t exist anymore, the berġa Franċiża in Birgu is still around. It has been a private property ever since the Knights left Cottonera. It was used as a school, a furniture factory and even a museum.
It is now used as Birgu’s city hall for the town’s Local Council. The style it was built in is based on Maltese architecture, with a central courtyard and all. The doorway is intricately decorated with the fleur-de-lys.
8. Auberge d’Angleterre, Birgu
The British berġa is one of the best preserved in Birgu. It’s currently housing the Vittoriosa Health Centre. It was linked to the Auberge d’Allemagne and was also built in the Maltese architectural style, with a central courtyard. It’s a plain building with circular windows, decorated with Maltese mouldings.
9. Auberge de Baviére, Valletta
This Mannerist palace currently houses the Lands Authority and overlooks St. Elmo’s Bay and the Marsamxett Harbour. It was not built for the Knights originally, as it was previously known as Palazzo Carniero.
When the French came to Malta, they converted it into a military hospital for sexually transmitted diseases. No, you did not misread that.
During the second World War, it was converted into a hostel for the homeless.
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