National Library of Malta: A Treasure Trove of History

The National Library of Malta, also known as the Bibliotheca, stands proudly in Republic Square, Valletta, as a repository of the nation's collective memory and intellectual heritage. More than just a collection of books, it serves as a living archive, encapsulating Maltese culture, history, and thought across centuries. The library's origins date back to 1555, when Grand Master Claude de la Sengle decreed that books owned by deceased members of the Order of St. John should be passed to the Order's treasury. In 1761, Louis Guérin de Tencin, a Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order, established the first public library, which was then expanded in 1776 by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc. The current building, designed by Polish-Italian architect Stefano Ittar, was completed in 1796. Its neoclassical design features a symmetrical façade with Doric and Ionic columns. The library's collections include the archives of the Order of St. John, the Università of Mdina and Valletta, and a significant collection of Melitensia. Among its treasures is the *Pie Postulatio Voluntatis*, a papal bull issued in 1113 confirming the establishment of the Order of St. John. The library also holds early newspapers published in Malta and a collection of incunabula (books printed before 1500). Visitors can explore the library's reading room and view its architectural details, including the grand marble staircase. The library is a research and reference library, so items are to be read on site.