Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence, Birgu

Historic Building in Birgu

CC BY-SA 4.0 / ontinentaleurope

The Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence in Birgu, Malta, was one of the earliest residences constructed by the Knights of St. John to accommodate members of the Langues of Auvergne and Provence. Built in the 1530s, it incorporated earlier structures dating back to the 15th century, and possibly even to the Byzantine period. The auberge was already functional by 1531, as confirmed by records from the Order in August 1532. This makes it one of the oldest surviving examples of the Knights' domestic architecture on the island, representing their first phase of settlement before Valletta's construction.

Originally, the auberge consisted of two distinct buildings — the Langue of Auvergne on the right and the Langue of Provence on the left — which were later joined together under a single façade. Its design featured traditional Melitan architectural elements, including a central doorway flanked by smaller entrances, all accented by moulded cornices and window frames. The structure formed part of a tightly packed cluster of auberges in Birgu's Collachio district, alongside the Auberge d'Aragon and Auberge de France, highlighting the city's status as the Knights' first administrative and residential hub in Malta.

The auberge served both Langues until the late 16th century, when the Knights relocated to Valletta and constructed separate, grander auberges for each division — Auberge d'Auvergne and Auberge de Provence. Despite these changes, the Birgu building continued to stand as a reminder of the Order's early years on the island. Unfortunately, in the period leading up to World War II, part of the building — specifically the section housing the Langue of Auvergne — was demolished to make way for modern development. Following the war, the surviving structure was divided into homes and a small shop, and a timber balcony was added.

Today, the section that once housed the Langue of Provence remains largely intact, showcasing much of its original stonework and internal layout, while the Auvergne side has lost a portion of its façade but retains its main doorway and a small balcony. The interiors of both sections preserve their original configurations, offering a rare glimpse into 16th-century Hospitaller architecture. Recognizing its historical and architectural importance, the building was declared a Grade 1 national monument on 22 December 2009 and is officially listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.

The Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence, Birgu appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Birgu!

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