T
he
phrase “like a Phoenix rising from
the ashes” popped in my head as I
sat to pen this article. I wasn’t sure
why until I did the research. As the
story goes, the phoenix is a myth-
ical bird with fiery plumage that
lives up to 100 years. Near the end
of its life, it settles in to its nest of
twigs which then burns ferocious-
ly, reducing bird and nest to ash-
es. And from those ashes, a fledg-
ling phoenix rises – renewed and
reborn.
When we spoke to Pierre Fenech
he clearly underlined the fact that
the fire actually gave the planners
the opportunity to further revamp
the place and to continue to in-
crease its efficiency into the form
it has today. “In fact, the main aim
of this renovation was to realise
the opportunity that the fire gave
us to improve on what had already
been developed and to improve
on our original concepts based on
the experience already gained. We
even changed the orientation of
the theatre stage and set it up on
a different side, as it in fact is to-
day,” he said.
International Success
As it nestles discreetly at the very
tip of Valletta’s peninsula, the
MCC was initially built by the
Order of St John as a hospital in
HOSPITALITY MALTA
the Sixteenth Century (and it is
typically assumed that the archi-
tect who had been tasked with the
building by Grand Master Jean
de la Cassière is none other than
Girolamo Cassar, architect of Val-
letta itself). It served its role until
around 1920. At that time it was
one of the leading and biggest
hospitals in Europe. It then had
a chequered history of different
roles in the policing, entertain-
ment and education spheres. A
third of the building was actual-
ly destroyed during the Second
World War and it wasn’t till the
1970s that its full restoration was
started, with the intention of put-
ting Malta on the international
conference tourism map.
Today, many of the major con-
ferences in Malta take place in
the Mediterranean Conference
Centre, such as the two CHOGMs
held here, the Valletta Summit
and Malta’s EU Presidency open-
ing which took place earlier this
year. Many international com-
panies also choose this building
as the location for conferences,
product launches or other impor-
tant events on the international
calendar.
Pierre Fenech enthusiastically
highlighted some opportunities
which are offered to potential
clients. “The reason why a very
high percentage of internation-
al and national companies decide
to work with the Mediterranean
A Quick History…
1574
The Knights of Malta built the MKCC as
their Sacra Infermeria, the best hospital in
Europe at that time, with the Long Ward
accommodating 914 patients.
1798
With Napoleon’s takeover of Malta, it
became known as the Grand Hopital
1800-1918
Under British rule it became the Garrison
Hospital. During WW1 its location was
ideal for landing patients directly from
incoming hospital ships from the war
fronts.
1918-1940
Turned into the Police Headquarters.
1945-1950
After being seriously damaged in World
War II part of what remained of the Long
Ward became the Command Hall, an
entertainment centre for troops.
1950-1951
Became a Children’s cinema and theatre
club.
1959-1975
Served as an examination hall. By the
end of this time it had become a derelict
building.
1975
Decision taken to transform it into the
MCC - inaugurated in this new role in
1979. Awarded the coveted Europa
Nostra Diploma of Merit for its superb
restoration.
SEPTEMBER | 2017
23