National Library of Malta
The National Library of Malta, often known as the Bibliotheca, is a reference library in Republic Square, Valletta, Malta. It was founded by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc in 1776 out of the collections of the knight Louis Guérin de Tencin. It has been a legal deposit library since 1925, and it has the largest collection of Melitensia along with that of the University of Malta. The library also contains the archives of the Order of St. John, the Università of Mdina and the Università of Valletta.
Façade of the Bibliotheca in 2020
Malta Public Library, Valletta, painting by Charles Frederick de Brocktorff
Public lecture at the main hall
Pie Postulatio Voluntatis (1113)
Republic Square, Valletta
Republic Square is a piazza in Valletta, Malta. The square was originally called Piazza Tesoreria or Piazza dei Cavallieri, since the treasury of the Order of Saint John was located in the square. After a statue of Queen Victoria was installed in the square in the 19th century, it became known as Queen's Square or Piazza Regina. Although its official name is Republic Square, it is still commonly referred to as Piazza Regina.
The façade of the Bibliotheca and the open air cafés at Republic Square
Piazza Tesoreria without any monuments, as depicted in a watercolour by Charles de Brocktorff (before 1850)
Piazza Tesoreria as a closed orchard during the Governorship of John Le Marchant, 1858-1864; photo by Francis Frith
Piazza Tesoreria with the Vilhena statue and orchard, as depicted in a 19th century photo by Giorgio Sommer
