1. AUBERGE DE CASTILLE VALLETTA RESTORATION OF EXTERNAL FACADES
arch norbert gatt
arch chanelle busuttil
RESTORATION UNIT
MINISTRY FOR RESOURCES AND RURAL AFFAIRS

2. The Old Auberge de Castille
Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Old Auberge de Castille
Having Casa Grande along St.Paul Street as their Auberge for a period of time, in 1588 the Knights of Castille decided to build a bigger auberge, which would cater for their needs at that point in time and also show a certain dignity. Conducted by Girolamo Cassar, the new building was planned on a 4100 metres square site acquired by the Langue in Cassar’s matured Mannerist style is extremely evident in the pilasters between the fenestration. He also employs larger pilasters at either extreme of the façade to activate the flatness of his elevation. The main entrance which was placed on a level higher than the street level to give the place a sense of nobility was flanked by five decorated windows on each side. The auberge had a considerably amount of doors on it’s side elevations which catered for different reasons and different people.

3. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The New Auberge
Serving for about 150 years, in 1741, it was decided by the Council of the Order, that a second auberge would be built but on a different style; transforming the military character to something more original and prestigious, to the new flamboyant Baroque style. The façade and the plan were attributed to Domenico Cachia, whose work was the finest of 18th Century Valletta. The façade, rich yet not over decorative, has pilasters, recessed panel and centrepiece projection, of pleasing proportions which give a touch of excellence to the building. Since Grand Master Pinto gave the main donation for the building, about 200 scudi, the theme of the façade is propagandistic in Pinto’s regards. The Grand Master’s symbol and the crescent moon are frequently displayed through different parts of the building while the Grand Master’s Coat of Arms and bust are the main decoration to the central window. Originally, these were too large and heavy and their removal was necessary in 1766 – 1768 to avoid damaging the building fabric. Apart from the Grand Master’s Coat of Arms, the coat of arms of the Langue of Spain and Portugal are also carved on the façade.

4. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Five windows are found on each side of the main entrance, which according to some sources are located on the exact place of the first auberge. They are secured with wrought iron grilles with Pinto’s half moon emblem. Pilasters for the new building are also built on the previous ones. Most of the decorations moulded on windows and on the main door were transformed by time in order to give the building a baroque style and a homogeneous look. It is interesting to note that on each window one can find the abbreviation E.P (Emanuel Pinto), a rare monogram on the buildings in Valletta. In 1791, the main door was enlarged, an arch for the main door and a large staircase in the parapet were constructed. Writers think that the pilasters at the corners are remains from Cassar’s previous building and that the original façade may have been smaller. From their conclusions we can say that the original building had been rebuilt reflecting Grand Master Pinto’s Spanish Baroque style.

5. Auberge de Castille after the Knights
Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
When the last Grand Master backed the Order of St. John from Malta in 1798, the Auberge was used as a Commission for National property under the command of the French invaders. After two years of French presence in Malta, the island became a British colony, transforming the Auberge of Castille as the headquarters of the armed forces and also used as a residence for the British officers. The Auberge of Castille has also been used as the headquarters of the army for Malta Cyprus and Libya. During the Second World War, in 1942 some damage was caused on the right hand side of the main entrance damaging also the ceiling of the of one of the front halls. Since 1972 the Auberge has hosted the office of the Maltese Prime minister.
Auberge de Castille after the Knights

6. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES
METHODOLOGY
OF SITE WORKS
ADOPTED
Erection of scaffolding
Stonework Structural repair of pediment
Stone replacement as necessary including replacement of badly deteriorated sculptural motifs of coat or arms
Reinstatement of lacunae
Consolidation of friable stonework which is to be retained
Cleaning By dry/wet brushing, poulticing and/or micro sandblasting, depending on deposits to be removed
Pointing Works Opening of defective joints
Flush pointing with a lime-based mortar
Finishing Works Installation of pigeon-protection system
Timber apertures Wood replacement as necessary, sanding down and application of wood preserver and paint finish
Metal works Maintenance and/or replacement of wrought iron work in windows as necessary
Dismantling of Scaffolding

7. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – PLANNED INTERVENTION PROCESSES
PHASES OF INTERVENTION:
THREE ON MAIN ELEVATION
FOUR ON MERCHANTS STR
FOUR ON ST.PAUL’S STR
TIME FRAME:
APPROX. 4 MONTHS PER PHASE
TOTAL – 44 MONTHS

8. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – PROGRESS TO DATE
PHASES OF INTERVENTION:
TWO ON MERCHANTS STR
Mid Jul 09- mid Jul 10
PLANNED:13 months
ACTUAL: 12 months
In progress:
CORNER MERCHANT STR/MAIN FAÇADE
Mid Jul 10-Dec 10

9. CLEANING TECHNIQUES ADOPTED IN RESTORATION INTERVENTIONS
Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES
CLEANING TECHNIQUES ADOPTED
IN RESTORATION INTERVENTIONS
i) DRY AND WET BRUSHING
ii) SCRAPING USING SURGICAL BLADES
iii) PAPER PULP POULTICES
v) MICROSANDBLASTING
vi) CLEANING OF BIOLOGICAL SOILING

10. CONSOLIDATION TECHNIQUES ADOPTED
Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project – INTERVENTION PROCESSES
CONSOLIDATION TECHNIQUES ADOPTED
i) STRUCTURAL CONSOLIDATION
ii) STONE REPLACEMENT
iii) PLASTIC REPAIR
iv) EXTENSIVE REPOINTING

11. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

12. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

13. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

14. Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project- RESTORATION DETAILS

15. ESTIMATED COST FOR RESTORATION OF THE THREE FACADES
Auberge de Castille - Valletta restoration project- projected COSTINGS
ESTIMATED COST FOR RESTORATION OF THE THREE FACADES
Euros 500,000