Auberge d'Aragon, Mannerist auberge in Valletta, Malta
The Auberge d'Aragon is a rectangular Mannerist building in Valletta with a central courtyard and a Doric portico entrance facing Archbishop Street. Its stone facade displays three moulded windows that mark the careful proportioning typical of buildings from this architectural period.
The building was constructed in 1571 under architect Girolamo Cassar and served as accommodation for knights from Aragon, Catalonia, and Navarre during the Order of Saint John's presence in Malta. Its creation reflects the military order's efforts to establish permanent residential structures across the island.
The building reflects how the military orders designed their living spaces in the 16th century and reveals the daily habits of knights from different regions. It shows the role these residences played in maintaining group identity and community bonds during the order's period in Malta.
The building now houses the Ministry for Justice, so visiting options are limited to viewing from outside or arranging official access. It is best to admire the architectural details and facade from Archbishop Street where you can see the full front elevation clearly.
It is the only one among the eight original auberges in Valletta that preserved its 16th-century architecture without major alterations over the centuries. During 2019 restoration work, underground sections were discovered that once served as stables and a bakery, revealing details of daily life in that era.
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