SACRA INFIRMERIA

The Order's hospital, a Mediterranean conference centre. The Congress Centre is housed in the historic 16th century Knights of the Order of St John Hospital, built above the Grand Port with the help of the citizens of Amalfi (who gave the island its emblem of the Maltese Cross). Valletta becomes the new headquarters of the Order, of which the former Birgu hospital is now a monastery. The more spacious one in Valletta adopts the most modern techniques. Cassar is probably the architect - or one of his students. The hospital has six large rooms, the largest of which is 161 m long, with a marble floor and ceiling beams. This room is now used for exhibitions. Each patient has a bed and is cared for without distinction of race, rank or religion. The utensils are made of gold or solid silver, more hygienic. Like the rest, they were taken away in 1798 by Napoleon Bonaparte, from whom few riches escaped. The knights, faithful to their vows, take care of the sick themselves (their primary function in the 11th century was to care for pilgrims who went to Jerusalem). The hospital, usually run by a French knight, also has a library and faculties of anatomy, pharmacy and surgery. Brilliantly converted into a conference centre in 1979, the building has retained some very beautiful period features, such as a superb balustrade staircase leading to an arcade gallery. Its interior is all stone (balconies, floor and ceiling), spacious and massive, with pointed arches.

Today, the centre houses six modular, air-conditioned conference rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 1,400 people, and 12 offices for small meetings or subcommittees.