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AUBERGE DE CASTILLE VALLETTA

RESTORATION OF EXTERNAL FACADES

arch norbert gatt arch chanelle busuttil

RESTORATION UNIT MINISTRY FOR RESOURCES AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Old Auberge de Castille Having Casa Grande along St.Paul Street as their Auberge for a period of time, in 1588 the Knights of Castille decided to build a bigger auberge, which would cater for their needs at that point in time and also show a certain dignity. Conducted by Girolamo Cassar, the new building was planned on a 4100 metres square site acquired by the Langue in 1569. Cassar’s matured Mannerist style is extremely evident in the pilasters between the fenestration. He also employs larger pilasters at either extreme of the façade to activate the flatness of his elevation. The main entrance which was placed on a level higher than the street level to give the place a sense of nobility was flanked by five decorated windows on each side. The auberge had a considerably amount of doors on it’s side elevations which catered for different reasons and different people.

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The New Auberge Serving for about 150 years, in 1741, it was decided by the Council of the Order, that a second auberge would be built but on a different style; transforming the military character to something more original and prestigious, to the new flamboyant Baroque style. The façade and the plan were attributed to Domenico Cachia, whose work was the finest of 18th Century Valletta. The façade, rich yet not over decorative, has pilasters, recessed panel and centrepiece projection, of pleasing proportions which give a touch of excellence to the building. Since Grand Master Pinto gave the main donation for the building, about 200 scudi, the theme of the façade is propagandistic in Pinto’s regards. The Grand Master’s symbol and the crescent moon are frequently displayed through different parts of the building while the Grand Master’s Coat of Arms and bust are the main decoration to the central window. Originally, these were too large and heavy and their removal was necessary in 1766 – 1768 to avoid damaging the building fabric. Apart from the Grand Master’s Coat of Arms, the coat of arms of the Langue of Spain and Portugal are also carved on the façade.

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Five windows are found on each side of the main entrance, which according to some sources are located on the exact place of the first auberge. They are secured with wrought iron grilles with Pinto’s half moon emblem. Pilasters for the new building are also built on the previous ones. Most of the decorations moulded on windows and on the main door were transformed by time in order to give the building a baroque style and a homogeneous look. It is interesting to note that on each window one can find the abbreviation E.P (Emanuel Pinto), a rare monogram on the buildings in Valletta. In 1791, the main door was enlarged, an arch for the main door and a large staircase in the parapet were constructed. Writers think that the pilasters at the corners are remains from Cassar’s previous building and that the original façade may have been smaller. From their conclusions we can say that the original building had been rebuilt reflecting Grand Master Pinto’s Spanish Baroque style.

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Auberge de Castille after the Knights

When the last Grand Master backed the Order of St. John from Malta in 1798, the Auberge was used as a Commission for National property under the command of the French invaders. After two years of French presence in Malta, the island became a British colony, transforming the Auberge of Castille as the headquarters of the armed forces and also used as a residence for the British officers. The Auberge of Castille has also been used as the headquarters of the army for Malta Cyprus and Libya. During the Second World War, in 1942 some damage was caused on the right hand side of the main entrance damaging also the ceiling of the of one of the front halls. Since 1972 the Auberge has hosted the office of the Maltese Prime minister.

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES METHODOLOGY OF SITE WORKS ADOPTED

•Erection of scaffolding •Stonework

Structural repair of pediment Stone replacement as necessary including replacement of badly deteriorated sculptural motifs of coat or arms Reinstatement of lacunae Consolidation of friable stonework which is to be retained

•Cleaning

By dry/wet brushing, poulticing and/or micro sandblasting, depending on deposits to be removed

•Pointing Works

Opening of defective joints Flush pointing with a lime-based mortar

•Finishing Works

Installation of pigeon-protection system

•Timber apertures

Wood replacement as necessary, sanding down and application of wood preserver and paint finish

•Metal works

Maintenance and/or replacement of wrought iron work in windows as necessary

•Dismantling of Scaffolding

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – PLANNED INTERVENTION PROCESSES

PHASES OF INTERVENTION:

THREE ON MAIN ELEVATION

FOUR ON MERCHANTS STR FOUR ON ST.PAUL’S STR TIME FRAME: APPROX. 4 MONTHS PER PHASE TOTAL – 44 MONTHS

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – PROGRESS TO DATE

PHASES OF INTERVENTION:

TWO ON MERCHANTS STR Mid Jul 09- mid Jul 10 PLANNED:13 months ACTUAL: 12 months

In progress: CORNER MERCHANT STR/MAIN FAÇADE Mid Jul 10-Dec 10

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES

CLEANING TECHNIQUES ADOPTED IN RESTORATION INTERVENTIONS i) DRY AND WET BRUSHING ii) SCRAPING USING SURGICAL BLADES iii) PAPER PULP POULTICES v) MICROSANDBLASTING

vi) CLEANING OF BIOLOGICAL SOILING

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES

CONSOLIDATION TECHNIQUES ADOPTED

i) STRUCTURAL CONSOLIDATION ii) STONE REPLACEMENT iii) PLASTIC REPAIR iv) EXTENSIVE REPOINTING

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

Auberge de Castille - Valletta

restoration project- projected COSTINGS ESTIMATED COST FOR RESTORATION OF THE THREE FACADES Euros 500,000