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Rome. Magistral Palace. The 26 volumes of the first, systematic inventory of the Order's assets, covering both its buildings and works of art, constituting a "unicum" in the sphere of European cultural heritages. Rome. Magistrale Palace. The 26 volumes of the first, systematic inventory of the Order's assets, covering both its buildings and works of art, constituting a "unicum" in the sphere of European cultural heritages. CULTURAL
HERITAGE
The Order’s
Artistic and Architectural Heritage Conservation and Restoration Works
"Figaro-Magazine devoted ample space to our Order in its issue of
11 September 1993, soliciting in-depth contributions from H.M.E.H. the Prince
and Grand Master and other high officers of the Grand Magistry and devoting a
large part of its article to our art and architectural treasures, illustrating
it with numerous photographs. The initiative had immediate echo in
international circles and we received several requests for further information
from Europe and the American continent. We were specifically asked for more
details of our cultural heritage, of which many were unaware. Just as they were
unaware of the commitment - highlighted by an interview with ‘Figaro-Magazine’ -
of our Receiver of the Common Treasure, Count Carlo Marullo di Condojanni, not
only to preserve, with the offices of the Grand Magistry, this heritage but
also to plan its restoration and even reconstruction, respecting tradition and
often establishing museums to exhibit it. To meet these requests, it was decided to give an overview - albeit
basic rather than exhaustive - of the Order’s art heritage in this edition of
the International Review, also mentioning the projects of the Common Treasure
for its maintenance and subsequent improvement of functionality and efficiency.
A rich series of photographs, some of which
never published before, accompany this article. In the past five years
there have been important renovations of the Grand Master’s Palace in Via
Condotti in Rome, the Order’s extraterritorial headquarters, also involving the
restoration of the chapel. The specially chosen technical team worked on the
basis of previous studies of the original colours, faithfully reproducing the
luminosity and chiaroscuro effects which had faded over time. The restoration
was carried out employing some of the best experts available, among whom Prof.
Carlo Pietrangeli, General Manager of the Vatican Museums, who disinterestedly
offered his experience. We avail ourselves of this opportunity to thank him
with sincere admiration. The Via Bocca di Leone facade has also been restored
to its initial splendour and part of the inside of the palace has been
carefully refurbished, respecting its original architecture and colours. In the pictorial art sector, there was the delicate restoration of De
Ribera's "Sagrada Familia",
carried out through the Naples Monuments and Fine Arts Service and later
exhibited in various shows. The Common Treasure was responsible for the recovery
of this masterpiece and during the work on it some dealers offered modest sums
to buy it from the Grand Magistry, completely unaware of its author. Today the
work is well looked after and protected. Considerable restoration works have
also been carried out in the Order’s extraterritorial seat on the Aventine
Hill, including extraordinary maintenance and architectural rehabilitation. The
renovation of the Council Complete of State room and the wall overlooking the
Knights of Malta square were noteworthy. The most significant functional and
architectural works in the Magione Castle, the Grand Master’s residence, were
carried out to the hall on the ground floor, which was inaugurated last
September, and the library. This last renovation was organized by the Common
Treasure in the framework of its programme for preserving the Order’s books
which have been collected and arranged here in the most suitable environmental
conditions, safe from any attack by outside elements. Humanitarian works
include the renovation of the Nasisi farm in Taranto, where a rehabilitation
centre for drug addicts has been set up, managed with the co-operation of the
Community Incontro. This initiative was a contribution to the works of the
Grand Priory of Naples and Sicily, in whose territory the property is situated.
As regards museums, an important undertaking was the establishment, in Chignolo
Po, of the ‘Cusani Visconti Museum’ with its various rooms containing mementoes
of the benefactor family with numerous testimonies of the Order and its
history. A particular contribution to this project was given by Dr. Antonio
Spada, who also organized an exhibition of photographs taken before and after
the works. Valuable books from the existing library are also on show in the
museum. There have also been several interventions over the last five years on
the Grand Magistry’s personal property and furnishings. Furniture and
furnishings were restored for the Columbus Celebrations in Genoa where the
Common Treasure organized an interesting exhibition linked to the Order’s
presence on the seas and its activities worldwide. Dr. Antonio Spada also
helped with this exhibition prepared by the staff of the Grand Magistry’s
technical office. As the Rivista is being printed, an Order of Malta museum is being set
up in the Grand Masters’ Palace on the island of Rhodes, occupying four rooms
with reminders of the Knight’s presence on the island and the Order’s present
activities all over the world. Among the great architectural restoration works,
mention is to be made of the Palace in Prague, which was restored under the
supervision of the Common Treasure and which is now the headquarters of the
Grand Priory of Bohemia, which recovered all its urban properties after the
fall of communism. However, the most important commitment which the Order has
ever taken on in modern times for its cultural heritage is the restoration of
Fort St. Angel, the first residence of the Knights on the island of Malta,
recently conceded by the Maltese Government to the Order’s Grand Magistry for
its exclusive use for 50 years. First of all, the monument was surveyed to define its historical
background and an initial work stage involved the refurbishment of the old St.
Anna Chapel and its appurtenances. A second work stage concerned the restoration
of the adjacent area of the Grand Master’s Palace and the refurbishment of the
underground spaces. A third stage of works is being studied to enhance the
functional nature of the first two restored parts and open up a passage leading
to the old port. Particularly significant was the elimination of all the
provisional and not archeologically justified additions which over the years
had affected the historical and monumental image of the complex. Great
attention has been paid to replacing the original doors and windows, the
exterior and interior paintings, the restoration of the decorations and the
uncovering of ancient frescoes. The attempt to make the restored monument
functional was definitely the most difficult phase of the project, which was solved
by deciding to dedicate the spaces next to the St. Anna Chapel for permanent
use and the Master’s Palace and adjoining premises as occasional reception
rooms. The underground area can be dedicated to the recovery and exhibition of
any artefacts found during the second stage of works and any other objects
having historical relevance. Prof Nino Vicari was the designer of this unique
restoration enterprise and architect Roger De Giorgio the project manager in
Malta. The inspection of the works was entrusted to the architect Giampiero
Cardillo, who generously offered his services to the Order. Besides the
extraordinary maintenance of all its properties in various countries, the
Common Treasure has also designed special works in the Grand Prior’s Palace in
Venice. Important works are also in progress in the beautiful Battiloro Palace
on the Riviera di Chiaia in Naples, by now in its final stage. This brief but
significant overview confirms the Order’s commitment to its cultural heritage
which consolidated over the centuries, now offering the most suitable financial
means necessary for achieving the Order’s institutional aims. Considering the
importance of this heritage, the Receiver of the Common Treasure decided to
have a proper inventory drawn up with photographs of furnishings and works of
art, offering the best guarantee for the future and the certainty of
pinpointing individual assets. This inventory will be presented to H.M.E.H. the
Prince and Grand Master next April.
Rome. Magistral Villa on the Aventine. Extraterritorial seat of the Order, where the meetings of the Complete Council of State, the Chapter General, the most representative religious ceremony, and the State meetings and visits are held. The Magistral Villa hosts the Grand Priory of Rome, the Embassies of the Order to the Republic of Italy and the Holy See, the Philatelic and Numismatic Office. |
