Sacra Infermeria
| Mediterranean Conference Centre | |
|---|---|
| Dar il-Mediterran għall-Konferenzi | |
The MCC in 2016
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| Former names | Sacra Infermeria Holy Infirmary |
| Alternative names | MCC |
| General information | |
| Status | Intact |
| Type | Hospital (now conference centre) |
| Location | Valletta, Malta |
| Coordinates | 35°53′58.2″N 14°31′4.8″E / 35.899500°N 14.518000°E |
| Construction started | 1574 |
| Renovated | 1596–1712 |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Limestone |
| Floor area | 7,000 m2 (75,000 sq ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | probably Girolamo Cassar |
| Website | |
| www.mcc.com.mt | |
The Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC, Maltese: Dar il-Mediterran għall-Konferenzi) is a conference centre in Valletta, Malta. The building was built as a hospital in the 16th century by the Order of St. John, and it was known as the Sacra Infermeria or the Holy Infirmary (Maltese: Il-Furmarija). It was known as the Grand Hôspital during the French occupation of Malta. It was one of the leading hospitals in Europe until the 18th century, and it remained in use until 1920. It had a capacity to keep from 500 to 2,500 patients. The building is now used for multiple banquets, exhibitions, international conventions and theatrical shows. The centre's auditorium has roughly 1,500 seats.
The Holy Infirmary was ordered to be built by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière on the 7 November 1574, after a Chapter General, to replace the already existing one in Birgu. Construction instigated in the same year. It was completed towards the end of the 16th century. Its architect is not known, but it is usually attributed to Girolamo Cassar.
It was meant to receive Maltese and foreign patients, as well as to provide lodging to pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. It also had two pharmacies. In 1596 a phalange was built, which was meant to accommodate the patients suffering from venereal and contagious diseases. In 1636, one of the pharmacies was closed down. During the reign of Grand Master Raphael Cotoner, the infirmary was enlarged, having more wards added. This work continued until 1666, during the reign of Raphael’s successor and brother, Nicolas Cotoner. The ‘Old Ward’ was also extended. Also during his reign, in 1676, a School of Anatomy and Surgery was established in the infirmary itself. A dissection room was built in the infirmary due to the school, which was later on moved to the site of the graveyard outside the infirmary. More work was carried out in 1712, during the reign of Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful. These included a Quadrangle, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, a laboratory and a pharmacy.
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Wikipedia