The Ospizio and Villa Franconi

Abstract

Floriana owes its name to the great Italian engineer Pietro Paolo Floriani, who designed the fortifications that surround the suburb. On the initiative of Grandmaster Antoine de Paula, who by 1635 had became conscious that the fortifications of Malta needed urgent modifications, the famous engineer was commissioned with of renewing the fortifications of the island. The funds necessary to build the fortifications had to be levied by taxes consequently the Council of the Order to borrow on loan the sum of one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) scudi. Moreover the Council implemented the imposition of a tax on all the Order's property on condition that the tax would last for three years and its annual proceeds, which had to amount to twelve thousand (12,000) scudi, had to be devoted towards the Island's fortifications. On the 22nd 1635, the Pope authorised the imposition of a 10% tax on all immobi1e propriety existing in Malta and it was to last for five years. The execution of this tax, which hit the clergy, was supervised by the Inquisitor. After the death of Grandmaster de Paula on the 9th June 16.36, his 'successor Fra Jean Paul de Lascaris endeavoured the fortifications which Floriani, had already start area in front Valletta [...].