Alternative names Pinto's Lodge Type Loggia Completed 1772 Material Limestone | Status Intact Location Qormi, Malta Opened 1772 Named for Manuel Pinto da Fonseca | |
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Pinto's Loggia or Pinto's Lodge (Maltese: It-Tribuna ta' Pinto or Il-Loġġa ta' Pinto), is a loggia in Qormi, Malta. It was built in 1772 to commemorate the 31st year of Manuel Pinto da Fonseca's magistracy, and it is now a landmark and symbol of Qormi.
History
Pinto's Loggia was built in 1772, marking the 31st year of the reign of Manuel Pinto da Fonseca as Grand Master of the Order of St. John. Qormi had been granted city status as Città Pinto on 25 May 1743, and the city still bears Pinto's coat of arms as its symbol. The structure is supported by four columns, and it is decorated with Pinto's coat of arms and a Latin inscription. According to tradition, Pinto used to sit in the loggia to shade himself while watching horse racing, but its original purpose is still unclear.
The loggia was originally part of a large farmhouse complex which included stables for the Grand Master's horses, but the farmhouses were demolished in 1981 to make way for modern houses. The Parish Church of St. Sebastian was later built in the vicinity of the loggia.
The loggia was restored in 1987 and again in 2002. A street market is held in the street and square near the loggia every Saturday morning, and it also serves as a backdrop for the annual Ħal Qormi Day.