‘Grand Ambitions’: Rare Laparelli drawings come to life at St John’s Co-Cathedral
A new exhibition opening next week at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is offering a window into the ambitious vision that shaped Malta’s capital city.
Titled ‘Grand Ambitions – Laparelli Drawings at St John’s Co-Cathedral’, the exhibition presents a collection of original architectural plans by Italian engineer and architect Francesco Laparelli. These rare drawings, on loan from the prestigious Accademia Etrusca di Cortona, are evidence of the masterful vision that transformed Valletta from war-torn ground into a fortified city of faith, grandeur, and lasting power.
Laparelli’s work laid the foundations of Valletta’s urban grid following the Great Siege of 1565, translating the ideals of permanence and resilience into precise architectural form. Through this exhibition, visitors will be able to trace the earliest concepts of the capital – from paper to stone – and gain insight into the mind behind one of Malta’s most influential city planners.
The official inauguration of the exhibition will be held on Tuesday 18th June at 7:30pm, accompanied by a special organ concert performed by renowned musician Josep Solè Coll, surrounded by the beautiful interior of the Co-Cathedral.
Interested? RSVP by June 16th via email at [email protected].
Curious to see what Valletta looked like before it existed?