SACRA INFIRMERIA

Hospital of the Order, Mediterranean conference center. The conference center is housed in the ^16th-century hospital of the Knights of the Order of St. John, built above the Grand Harbour with the help of the citizens of Amalfi. Valletta became the new headquarters of the Order, whose previous hospital in Birgu is now a monastery. The hospital in Valletta was more spacious and adopted the most modern techniques. Cassar was probably the architect - or one of his pupils. It has six large halls, the largest of which measures 161 m in length and is now used for exhibitions. Each patient had his or her own bed and was treated without distinction of race, rank or religion. The utensils are made of gold or solid silver, which is more hygienic. Like the rest, they were taken away in 1798 by Napoleon Bonaparte. Faithful to their vows, the knights took care of the sick themselves. The hospital also included a library and faculties of anatomy, pharmacy and surgery. Brilliantly converted into a conference center in 1979, the building has preserved some very fine period features, such as a superb balustraded staircase leading to an arcaded gallery. The interior is all stone, with pointed arches. Today, the center 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 sub-committees. Space dedicated to the Presidency of the European Union from January to June 2017.