Description of the attraction
Near Fort Sant Elmo, you can see the elongated building of the Mediterranean Convention Center, which is considered one of the largest in Malta and Europe. This structure was erected by the Knights Hospitallers in 1574. It housed a hospital called the Sacra Infermeria, that is, the Holy Hospital. As you know, one of the tasks of the Order of Malta was to provide medical assistance to all those in need, regardless of their position in society and religion. All local residents turned to this hospital for medical help.
The hospital in those days was huge, with 600 beds, and well equipped. The knights themselves looked after the sick. Many of them were well versed in medicine and could perform complex surgical operations. The Order of Malta also paid great attention to hygiene, which was completely atypical for that time. The hospital used silver cutlery and it was not extravagance. The knights believed that silver prevented disease from spreading.
The Sacra Infermeria Hospital has the longest hospital ward in the world. Its length was 155 meters. It is now a dining room used for banquets for 900 people.
The conference center consists of 12 rooms of different sizes. The long tunnel leading from the Sacre of Infermeria to the Bastion of Saint Lazarus houses an interesting historical exhibition and a gift shop. An underground cinema is equipped in the bastion, where the film "The History of Malta" is shown, which is accompanied by text in different languages, including Russian.
