Bust of Grand Master Emanuel Pinto de Fonseca on top of Pinto Stores at the Valletta Watefront.
Grand Master Pinto as he is known was a Knight of the Langue of Portugal. Son of a Portuguese nobleman, he was elected Grand Master in 1741. As Grand Master, he completed the construction of the Auberge de Castille (still one of the most important buildings in the Maltese capital city, Valletta and currently used as the Office of the Prime Minister), his bust and arms adorn its façade.
Pinto de Fonseca made substantial donations to the Conventual Church (now St John’s Co-cathedral). Among them are two large and heavy bells cast in 1747 and 1748; they still hang in the Co-cathedral belfries. These bells were made by melting two basilisks that were left by the Ottomans after the Great Siege of 1565.
By the way, the large stores now serve as chic restaurants, souvenir shops or offices, all connected with tourism.
Thank you very much for looking and for your wonderful comments on yesterday’s picture.
This is a great shot Dione- the pov is impressive as it should be for such a notable man. I really like the way you processed it too. The b/w brings out the detail of the facade, while the statue's oxidized bronze stands in the selective coloring. Excellent!
