Maltese architecture has its origins in prehistory, and some of the oldest free-standing structures on Earth – a series ofmegalithic temples – can be found onMalta.[1] The islands were colonized by thePhoenicians and later theRomans, who established the cities ofMelite andGaulos. Although these were substantial settlements and are known to have had numerous temples, churches and palaces, few remains have survived apart from some architectural fragments.[2]
After thefall of the Western Roman Empire, Malta became part of theByzantine Empire, before falling to the Arabs in 870. Virtually no examples of Byzantine or Arab architecture have survived, although the Arabs left a significant influence on Maltese vernacular architecture which remained popular in subsequent centuries. Malta became part of theCounty and later theKingdom of Sicily in 1091, andNorman architecture and other European styles were introduced to the island. Relatively few examples of medieval architecture have survived, including a few buildings inMdina and theCittadella, as well as several chapels in the Maltese countryside.[2]
Maltese architecture flourished while the islands wereunder the rule of theOrder of St. John from 1530 to 1798. The Hospitallers introducedRenaissance architecture to Malta in the mid-16th century, with theBaroque style becoming popular about a century later. The two and a half centuries of Hospitaller rule saw the establishment of new settlements (most notably the capitalValletta) and the construction of many churches, palaces and public buildings. The Order also builtbastionedfortifications around the main cities, apart from a series of coastal and inland defences.[3]
After Malta became part of theBritish Empire in 1800,Neoclassical andNeo-Gothic architecture were introduced, and they were the predominant styles of the 19th century.[3] Several styles left an influence on Maltese architecture in the first half of the 20th century, includingArt Nouveau,Art Deco,Italian futurism,rationalism andmodernism.[4] Malta experienced a building boom afterWorld War II, which increased after independence in 1964.[5] The modernist style remained popular, but new styles such ascritical regionalism were also introduced.
TheĠgantija temples (two sites) were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.[6] In 1992, the UNESCO Committee further extended the existing listing to include five other megalithic temple sites. These areĦaġar Qim (inQrendi),Mnajdra (in Qrendi),Ta' Ħaġrat Temples (inMġarr),Skorba Temples (inŻebbiegħ) and Tarxien Temples (inTarxien).[6] Nowadays, the sites are managed byHeritage Malta, while ownership of the surrounding lands varies from site to site.[7][8] Apart from these, there are other megalithic temples in Malta which are not included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
TheDomvs Romana (Latin for "Roman House"), is a ruined Roman-era house located on the boundary betweenMdina andRabat,Malta. It was built in the 1st century BC as an aristocratic town house (domus) within the Roman city ofMelite.
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The Muxrabija resembled a small Maltese balcony. This is very rare in Malta today, but they were carved out of stone or by wood
The Maltese Baroque is the form ofBaroque architecture that developed inMalta during the 17th and 18th centuries, when the islands wereunder the rule of theOrder of St. John.[9] The Baroque style was introduced in Malta in the early 17th century, possibly by the Bolognese engineerBontadino de Bontadini during the construction of theWignacourt Aqueduct. The style became popular in the mid to late 17th century, and it reached its peak during the 18th century, when monumental Baroque structures such asAuberge de Castille were constructed.
The Baroque style began to be replaced byneoclassical architecture and other styles in the early 19th century, when Malta was underBritish rule. Despite this, Baroque elements continued to influence traditional Maltese architecture. Many churches continued to the built in the Baroque style throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and to a lesser extent in the 21st century.[10]
Neoclassical architecture was introduced in Malta in the late 18th century, during the final years ofHospitaller rule. Early examples include theBibliotheca (1786),[11] theDe Rohan Arch (1798)[12] and theHompesch Gate (1801).[13] However, neoclassical architecture only became popular in Malta following theestablishment of British rule in the early 19th century. In 1814, a neoclassicalportico decorated with the British coat of arms was added to theMain Guard building so as to serve as a symbol of British Malta. Other 19th century neoclassical buildings include theMonument to Sir Alexander Ball (1810),RNH Bighi (1832),St Paul's Pro-Cathedral (1844), theRotunda of Mosta (1860) and the now-destroyedRoyal Opera House (1866).[14]
Neoclassicism gave way to other architectural styles by the late 19th century. Few buildings were built in the neoclassical style during the 20th century, such as theDomvs Romana museum (1922),[15] and theCourts of Justice building in Valletta (1965–71).[16]
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