The Old Carmelite church, Valletta : history, architecture and works of art (1570-1958)

Abstract

The research hereunder conducted, regards the old Carmelite church in Valletta. The old Carmelite church was, unfortunately hit in the Second World War. The present-day church was constructed after the Second World War after. One of this research's objectives is retrieving old photographs of Gerolamo Cassar' s church that will ultimately help in both understanding of the architectural layout and other objet d'arts dating to the old Carmelite church. In order to necessitate the investigation, research had to be conducted in several places; primarily in the archives of the Carmelite church in Valletta, the Archbishop's Curia in Floriana, at the Melitensia section in the University of Malta and the public libraries in Malta and Gozo. The Carmelite archives are important sprouts of information. Here the investigation involved the reading of the Cabreo, working and payment receipts and other manuscripts relating to the church. From these manuscripts important references about commissioned works both by the friars themselves and also by devotees of the Virgin of Mount Carmel was gathered. Furthermore, the manuscripts provided with descriptions of the eleven altars within the Church, about masses and other indulgencies left after the death of a person. Other research material that was consulted were the Libri dei Proposti, Libri del Intrioto and Exodus and inventories that have survived. Besides the Carmelite archives and other published materials, investigation continued in the archives of the Curia. Here research was carried out in the pastoral visits from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century. From these sources, more insight about the works of art

and also about the construction of the first Carmelite church in Valletta was gained. Articles in the local newspapers as The Times and the religious newspaper Leħen is-Sewwa, were also found. Leħen is-Sewwa, featured two special editions on the Carmelite Church in Valletta. These editions were printed to commemorate the festivities that were being celebrated in the 1951 and 1981. The latter edition not only was commemorating the hundred years since the coronation of the titular painting but also featured a brief survey of the works of art and sculpture in the Carmelite church. At the Curia a document regarding the proposal brought forward by the Carmelites to demolish their church in order to build a new one; which would be bigger in size and therefore could accommodate the ever increasing number of pilgrims visiting the church was discovered. Finally, research also includes interviewing people who are well acquainted with the subject of this thesis. The aims of these interviews will therefore provide more insight on the Carmelite church.