Brief Biography
Alof de Wignacourt oversaw major construction on Malta, including coastal watchtowers and the aqueduct that bears his name.
Sources: Order of Malta: The Grand Masters; Wikipedia: Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller.
Life and service to the Order
During his mastership the Hospitallers also repelled an Ottoman landing attempt in 1614.
On Malta the Order developed hospitals, fortifications and a maritime presence while governing the islands. Its religious and charitable purposes continued alongside these public responsibilities.
Grand Master de Wignacourt (1601-22) was respected and loved by the people. He was a man of princely tastes and his suit of armour is one of the most expensive in existence. During his rule, the Bibliotheca (National Library) was firmly established, but his name will always be connected with the aqueduct he built to bring water to Valletta whose population had increased considerably by this time. He died of apoplexy while he was out shooting.
Historical context: Order of Malta, The Grand Masters; History of the Order.
Further images from the archive
