Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi
Coat of arms of the Monte di Redenzione at Selmun Palace
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| Merged into | Monte di Pietà e Redenzione |
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| Formation | 1607 |
| Founder | Alof de Wignacourt |
| Extinction | 28 June 1787 (as an independent institution) Early 19th century (ceased operations) |
| Type | Social welfare service |
| Legal status | Defunct |
| Purpose | Redemption of Maltese slaves in Muslim hands |
| Headquarters | Valletta, Malta |
The Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi, often simply known as the Monte di Redenzione, was Maltese institution which was set up to finance the redemption of Maltese people enslaved by Ottomans or Barbary pirates. It was founded in 1607 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, and it existed as an independent institution until 1787, when it was merged with the Monte di Pietà, forming the Monte di Pietà e Redenzione. The new institution continued the role of redeeming slaves until the early 19th century, when it became redundant after slavery was suppressed.
The Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi was founded in 1607 by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, after a Capuchin friar Raffaele Camilleri made a series of Lenten sermons describing the situation of Christian slaves in Muslim hands. For the first few years, the institution did not manage to collect enough funds. This changed when the noble Caterina Vitale bequeathed most of her estate to the Monte di Redenzione upon her death in 1619. Part of the property was sold, and with an additional 6000 scudi donated by Gio. Domenico Felici, the institution was able to commence its operations.
Vitale's estate included a large area in Fego di Salamone, now known as Selmun. In the 18th century, the Mistra Gate and Selmun Palace were built within this estate. The palace was rented out to knights as a place to relax and hunt wild rabbits, and the rent money contributed to the redemption fund.
Initially, the Monte di Redenzione had a committee of seven members responsible for collecting alms, but this system was eventually abolished and replaced by an administration made up of four persons, two of whom were knights. From 1660, the Monte was run by a commission of three knights, headed by a Knight Grand Cross as president. This commission met at the vestry of the Conventual Church of St. John in Valletta until 1690, when they began to meet at the president's house.
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