Malta’s Lazzaretto: Plans for a monumental resurgence

Manoel Island in Malta

In the wake of a new resurgence with plans of commercial development, the above quote taken from Lord Byron’s “A farewell to Malta” ring true. These words could perhaps be seen as a testament to the experience had by one of the better-known residents of the ex-quarantine hospital the Lazzaretto: English poet and politician George Gordon Byron (1766 – 1821).

Set at the water’s edge of Manoel Island, an islet forming part of Gzira in the Marsamxett harbour and named so after Grandmaster Antonio Manoel De Vilhena, this currently uninhabitable, 17th-century structure stands at the mercy of time and crippled by years of vandalism and neglect. At a distant glance, it’s difficult to envision how this seemingly skeletal property breathed life prior to its current state, least that it functioned as a quarantine hospital which would protect citizens from the spread of fatal diseases and later on to endure heavy bombing during the second world war. The stone walls inside the Lazzaretto still bear markings and engravings from those who came and went whilst imprisoned within the confines of a place that offered little hope and reassurance of a future. From here, patients would await their fate – many died a lonely death while voyagers like Lord Byron remained in limbo after being taken in en route their expeditions on suspicion of infection.

Built from 1643 the main building was constructed by the Knights of St John under the reign of Grandmaster Lascaris in an attempt to control a periodic influx of Plague and Cholera on board visiting ships. In later years the Lazzaretto underwent a series of extensions to make room for more hospital beds, a nunnery and even a restaurant which catered for the more important quarantined patients. It is recorded on Wikipedia that during the British period, “the lazzaretto was enlarged in 1837 and 1838 and used briefly to house troops but was converted back to a hospital in 1871” therefore it seems as if its purpose was destined from the start and set to continue throughout the years which followed. Who knew that this once fully operational hospital would then be turned into part of a modern-day complex?

According to an article published in The Times of Malta “ the Lazaretto is actually a complex of separate but interconnected buildings, varying in age and state of repair” adding, “The oldest part is believed to be the 17th century ground floor of the Lazaretto terrace, the arched elevation rising from the sea – the hospital’s most conspicuous and identifiable feature”.

Reportedly “the oldest of all the sites that Midi is restoring” and “the most difficult too” plans are set to go ahead to restore this historical yet dilapidated piece of architecture which for so long has endured the harshness of an era that brought loss and devastation to humanity. After restoration, the former hospital might be turned into blocks of flats as well as hotels and a casino. In an interview with Prof. Alex Torpiano, lead consultant at aoM Partnership – The Times of Malta reports:

“The challenge will be to retain as much of the original as possible and to integrate any strengthening or replacement as closely as possible to the original without becoming a fake replica”.

This might mean holding on to some of the features which make this building as characterful as it once was and where endless stories of love and loss must have taken place. To bring it back to life is a task that will undoubtedly entail much structural planning and indeed has already begun; yet at the same time this restoration project is one of historical revival for the Maltese islands and with this, the hopeful rebirth of a once-prominent and fully functional institution which left an indelible print on our shores.

Julia Perry

Please call us on (+356) 2131 0800 / 0088 if you would like more information about this project or indeed any other property matters in Malta or email us: perry@perry.com.mt

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