The Auberge d'Italie is an auberge in Valletta, Malta. It was built at various stages in the late 16th century to house knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Italy, and it originally had a Mannerist design by Girolamo Cassar and several other architects. The building continued to be modified throughout the course of the 17th century, with the last major renovation being carried out in the 1680s during the magistracy of Gregorio Carafa, giving the building a Baroque character.
Auberge d'Italie in 2020
Side façade of Auberge d'Italie in Jean de Valette Square, which might have contained the main entrance prior to 1629
Rear view of Auberge d'Italie from the corner of Melita and Zachary Streets
Pillar mail box near the auberge's main entrance
Langue (Knights Hospitaller)
A langue or tongue was an administrative division of the Knights Hospitaller between 1319 and 1798. The term referred to a rough ethno-linguistic division of the geographical distribution of the Order's members and possessions. Each langue was subdivided into Priories or Grand Priories, Bailiwicks and Commanderies. Each langue had an auberge as its headquarters, some of which still survive in Rhodes, Birgu and Valletta.
Coat of arms of the Langue of France (left) and of Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson (right) on the French auberge in Rhodes
Auberge of Provence in Rhodes
Auberge d'Aragon in Valletta
Auberge de Castille in Valletta