Castello Lanzun

Castello Lanzun, also known as Lanzun Tower (Maltese: Torri ta' Lanzun), is a 15th-century fortified farmhouse in Mensija, limits of San Ġwann, Malta. It serves as the headquarters of the Malta-Paris obedience of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

Castello Lanzun
Torri ta' Lanzun
View of Castello Lanzun
Alternative namesLanzun Tower
General information
StatusIntact
TypeFortified farmhouse
Architectural styleTraditional Maltese
LocationSan Ġwann, Malta
Coordinates35°54′48.9″N 14°28′49.2″E
Named forWenzu Lanzun
Construction started15th century
Renovated1713
OwnerMilitary and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem
Technical details
MaterialLimestone

History

Castello Lanzun was originally built in the 15th century as a farmhouse. It gets its name from Wenzu Lanzun (Lorenzo Lanzon), a man from Birgu who lived there during the 1676 plague epidemic.[1]

Castello Lanzun's courtyard

The farmhouse was modified and enlarged in 1713, and it was fortified so as to be able to provide refuge for the local population in case of a corsair raid. It was also used as a hunting lodge by the Grand Master of the Order of St. John.[1]

In World War II, the building served as an observation post to identify approaching enemy aircraft, and it was severely damaged by aerial bombardment.[1]

In 1972, the farmhouse was purchased by Robert Gayre, who restored the building and handed it to the Malta obedience of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem. It was formally inaugurated as the Order's official headquarters on 12 May 1973 by Grand Master Francisco de Borbón y Borbón.[1] The property is in the custody of the Grand Commandery of the Castello (formerly the Commandery of Lochore).[2]

The tower was visited by Patriarch Gregory III Laham on 17 April 2010.[3] The 40th anniversary of the inauguration of the tower was celebrated in May 2013 with a visit by Grand Master Carlos Gereda y de Borbón and other members of the Order.[2]

Architecture

Castello Lanzun is an example of traditional Maltese architecture, consisting of a number of rooms around a central courtyard.[4] The building contains a chapel and a large meeting hall known as the Knights' Hall, which was originally the stables.[5]

Further reading
  • Brincat, Joe (September 2004). Torri Lanzun u Statwa tal-Assunta. Kappelli Maltin (kappellimaltin.com). p. 5. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  • Savona-Ventura, Charles; Ross, Michael (2015). Acta Historiae Sancti Lazari Ordinis - Proceedings: Sancti Lazari Ordinis Academia Internationalis. Lulu. pp. 111–124. ISBN 9781365174407.
  • Full history
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References
  1. "Torri Ta' Lanzun". sangwannmalta.org. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
  2. "40th anniversary presentation of Mensija's Castello Lanzun to the Order of St Lazarus". Times of Malta. 26 May 2013. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
  3. "Visit to Malta and Sicily". Melkite Eparchy of Newton. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
  4. "The Torri Ta' Lanzun, Mensija". Grand Commandery of the Castello. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
  5. "Castello Lanzun - Headquarter of the Order". The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015.
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