2001 - PALACE OF THE GRAND MASTERS IN VALLETTA

With thirteen contributions from an outstanding team of scholars and the inclusion of over 200 illustrations, this is the comprehensive and authoritative book on the Palace, which has always been the highest political seat in Malta and the jewel in the crown of Valletta.

Goivanni Bonello explains how the Palace expanded over the years, while Albert Ganado studies the important prints and paintings depicting the building. Antonio Espinosa Rodriguez and Dominic Cutajar describe The Great Siege Fresco by Perez d'Aleccio, and the Gobelins Tapestries respectively, while Keith Sciberras and David Stone write about the frescoes by Filippo Paladin and Leonello Spada. The furniture and fittings are described by Joseph Galea Naudi and Denise Micallef, and the portraits by Emmanuel Fiorentino. Victor Mallia Milanes explains the development of pomp and pageantry at the Palace, while Petra Bianchi puts the visitors to the Palace in their historical context, and Nicholas De Piro describes particular social events that took place there. William Soler writes about the knights' astronomical observatory and the Palace Tower, and Stephen Spiteri deals authoritatively with the Palace Armoury. This book will be in the library of anyone with a serious interest in Maltese history and architecture.