Francesco Buonamici (1596-1677) - a pioneer of baroque architecture in Malta and Siracusa

Abstract

In September 1635, Francesco Buonamici came to Malta as the assistant of the renowned Italian military engineer Pierro Paolo Floriani He had originally planned to stay in Malta, for only a few months, in order to supervise the implementation of Florian i's plans for che extension of the fortification works co Valletta. However, Buonamici ended up staying on the island for twenty four years during which period he served as the resident military engineer of the Order of Sc. John. The Knights had always sought the services of the best foreign military engineers co advice it on the construction, maintenance and modernisation of its fortifications. In face, during the course of che second half of the sixteenth and seventeenth century, various distinguish ed Italian military engineers visited Malca. Buonamici's predecessors included amongst others the military engineers Genga, Lanci, Laparelli, Campi, Rinaldini and Firenzuola. [Excerpt]