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Description: | Portrait of Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, 66th Grand Master of the Order of St John, 1722-36. A Portuguese aristocrat of royal descent, Manoel de Vilhena was a popular Grand Master with the Maltese people, since more than any previous Grand Master, he worked to improve their lot; to meet increasing demands for housing in Valletta, he laid down plans for a new suburb, Floriana, where his statue stands today in the Maglio Gardens, and was responsible for setting up many charitable institutions. He built Fort Manoel in Marsamxett Creek, and in 1731 built the Manoel Theatre, thought to be the second oldest theatre in Europe, and still in use today. | Subjects: | portrait (Antonio Manoel de Vilhena) | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Maltese School Æ | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8605... | Go to resource |
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