Fortress - Architecture and Military History in Malta

Professor Quentin Hughes masterfully traces the story of the design and building of the island's splendid fortifications, citadels, churches and palaces against a background of essentially military preoccupations – the Knights of the Order St John, the siege by the Turks, Napoleon, the British Imperial Presence, Hitler and Mussolini. A succession of gifted architects and engineers were involved in planning the city of Valletta, in strengthening the intricate defences and in providing domestic, religious, and administrative architecture for the community safe behind its great bastions and system of fortifications.

As well as praising the art of military architecture, the book is also a wonderful portrayal of the past that is well documented and highly interesting.

Dr Quentin Hughes (1920-2004) was Professor of Architecture at the University of Malta for four years, where he had the opportunity to study some of the finest remains of both baroque and 19th century fortifications. After Malta, Professor Hughes returned to Liverpool University where he was Reader at the School of Architecture. He was also Honorary Professor at JMU and Senior Fellow of the University of Liverpool.‍

Fortress: Architecture and Military History in Malta was first published in 1969.

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Island of Antiquity

The Great Siege

A City is Born

The Growth of Valletta

The Outer Defences

The Old Capital

The Country Parishes

Calypso’s Isle

The British Influence

The Second Siege

The Present Situation

Index