One of the finest historical monuments in the long list of prestigious monuments in Malta is surely the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC).

The use of this building passed through a number of transformations over the centuries; from the Holy Infirmary of the Knights, to a military hospital, a police headquarters, a command hall, a theatre and now a museum and conference centre for events such as product launches and exhibitions.

The name Knights Hall was a modern term applied to this old and historical building which is one of the oldest in Valletta. Once the Holy Infirmary (Sacra Infermeria) of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, it was erected in 1574 and officially opened in 1578; a marble tablet put up during the tenure of Sir Harry Luke records the event. Sir Luke was Lieutenant-Governor of Malta from 1930 to 1938.

The tablet reads as follows: "This building was formerly the Sacred Infirmary or Hospital of the Order. It was built by Grand Master Jean l'Evesque de la Cassiere in 1574 and enlarged by Grand Master Cardinal Hugues Loubeny de Verdala in 1583. The main ward, which is now 505 feet long, was extended by Grand Masters Raphael and Nicolas Cotoner between 1660 and 1666."

 

Holy infirmary (Sacra Infermeria)

Dr A. Critien O.B.E. in his work, Holy Infirmary Sketches states that "the undertaking was not restricted to the provision of treatment to male civilians in the same premises and on practically the same footing as members of the Order, but covered a number of well-conceived and systematic 'charities' for the relief of sickness amongst the rest of the population".

During the occupation of the Order of St John, the Holy Infirmary played a very important part, and varied has been its history as can be testified from the numerous references in the archives of the Order and from manuscripts available at the National Library. The building's ward is said to be the longest in Europe at the time of its building and was the first state-of-the-art hospital in Malta accomodating from 500 to 2,500 patients at any one time.

When the Infirmary ceased to be the hospital of the Knights, the building was used by the French for two years and, on the arrival of the British, it was converted into a Military Hospital. Its use was exemplified, especially during the Great War (1914-18), when the hospital was used as a sorting depot of the sick and wounded arriving at the principal port of Valletta on hospital ships. After being visited by the doctors, the sick and wounded troops were then transferred to the other 30 hospitals and camps scattered over the islands. After the Great War and until the outbreak of the Seond World War, the building was used as a Police Headquarters.

 

Second World War

The Infirmary was hit and blasted seven times between 14 February 1941 and 26 July 1943, but escaped total destruction. It was used by the E.N.S.A (Entertainments National Service Association) during the war period as a recreation centre for the service people stationed in Malta. E.N.S.A was established in 1939 and during the war period provided entertainment for British armed personnel. E.N.S.A operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (N.A.A.F.I). It was during this period that the Holy Infirmary of the Knights came to be known as the Command Hall.

 

Post-war

With the return of self-government in 1947, the building reverted to civil administration and was occupied by the Ministry of Education. Further adaptation works were carried out in the Hall. The stage was enlarged and equipped with all modern theatrical devices to become one of the finest halls, where dramatic art could continue to flourish and prosper in the days to come. Under the Ministry of Eduation, the hall became known as the Knights Hall, to witness a varied activity of dramatic art in all its forms.

On 14 May 1951, the undamaged part of the long ward of the Holy Infirmary was put to use as a children's theatre. The theatre was inaugurated by Dr P. Boffa and blessed by Mgr Gonzi. Dr Boffa was prime minister between November 1947 and September 1950 and was re-elected to the legislature in 1951 and again in 1953. Though he never again held the Prime Minister's office, he joined a coalition government with the Nationalist Party led by Giorgio Borg Olivier.

A concert was held in 1951 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Giuseppe Verdi, the performance being given by a visiting Italian opera company led by baritone Tito Gobbi.

The Committee of Management during 1951 consisted of the following persons:

Patron: Dr J. Frendo Azzopardi, LL.D - The Minister of Education and Minister of Finance;

Hon. President: Mr J. P. Vassallo - Director of Education;

Mr Paul L. Naudi - Chairman;

Mr Albert Agius Ferrante - Secretary;

Mr Anthony J. Bonnici Soler - Treasurer;

Mr Godfrey Zarb Adami - Representative of the Director of Education; and

Mr Lewis Frendo - Member

 

The Mediterranean Conference Centre

With the passage of time, the Knights Hall fell into dilapidation. In February 1979, the building was completed in time after excellent restoration and conversion to welcome the 35-Nation European Nations Conference on Security and Co-operation.

Tody, the building is used as the most high-profile conference centre and theatre in Malta and hosted events such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Junior Eurovision song contest and many other events.

The museum delivers a cutting edge experience using augmented reality videos and games as well as a special holographic display room where the visitor can have a close encounter with a digital life-size version of Grandmaster La Vallette enabling the visitor to relive the happenings in the building over the centuries.