LAPARELLI 505: VALLETTA, HIS LEGACY AND THE CITY HE SHAPED

Laparelli 505: Valletta, His Legacy and the City He Shaped
A Special Series of Talks & On-Site Visits | November–December 2026
To mark the 505th birth anniversary of Francesco Laparelli, the architect and military engineer whose vision played a defining role in the planning and development of Valletta, AŻAD is organising a special series of talks and guided on-site visits exploring Laparelli, his work, and the city he helped shape.
Led by leading curators, the programme will combine illustrated presentations at AŻAD premises with selected visits around Valletta and the Grandmaster’s Palace, bringing the history of the city to life through its architecture, fortifications, residences, churches and lost buildings.
The programme will feature six sessions, including:
Eterna Fama ed Immortale Gloria – The Legacy of Capitano Francesco Laparelli
Christian Mifsud, HM Principal Curator for Historic Buildings
Fortifications & Planning of Valletta
Christian Mifsud
Laparelli’s Designs for Residences of the Knights in Valletta
Christian Mifsud — with a presentation and tour of the Grandmaster’s Palace
Valletta’s Transformations Post Laparelli
Christian Mifsud
Lost Valletta Buildings
Emmanuel Magro Conti, HM Senior Manager Collections & Senior Curator Palaces
Churches, Convents & Monasteries
Robert Cassar, HM Principal Curator Palace Armoury
A key speaker throughout the series will be Christian Mifsud, whose academic thesis focuses on Francesco Laparelli, bringing particular expertise to the sessions examining Laparelli’s contribution to Valletta.
The sessions are planned for November and December 2026, with the exact dates and schedule to be confirmed. Some of the approximately one-hour sessions will be held at AŻAD, while others will incorporate walks and on-site visits around Valletta and, where applicable, the Grandmaster’s Palace. Outdoor sessions will be subject to weather conditions and may last approximately 1½ hours to allow for travelling between sites.
AŻAD is currently taking the details of individuals interested in attending these sessions. Those wishing to participate are invited to register their interest and provide their contact details in order to receive the confirmed dates, programme and further information.
For registration, call 99471549 or email [email protected]
Join us for a unique journey through Laparelli’s Valletta — from its original conception and fortifications to the buildings, transformations and heritage that continue to define the city today.