Mediterranean Conference Centre: A Legacy of Care, Innovation, and Resilience

Perched on the edge of Valletta’s historic bastions, the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) is a landmark steeped in centuries of medical, military, and social history. Originally built in 1574 by the Order of St. John, it served as the Sacra Infermeria—one of the most advanced hospitals of its time.

At its peak, the Sacra Infermeria was considered among the finest hospitals in Europe, renowned for its strict hygiene standards, pioneering patient care, and medical training. It housed an impressively long Great Ward—spanning over 155 metres, making it one of the largest in the world. The hospital admitted patients regardless of social class or nationality, in line with the Hospitaller Knights’ vow to care for the sick and the poor.

Medical innovation flourished within its walls. The pharmacies provided advanced treatments, and in 1676, under Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner, the hospital became home to the School of Anatomy and Surgery, one of the earliest medical training institutions in Europe.

The Sacra Infermeria remained a leading medical institution until the French occupation of Malta in 1798, when Napoleon Bonaparte’s forces repurposed it into a military hospital. Though the French introduced some improvements, their rule was short-lived. The Maltese rebellion and subsequent British intervention in 1800 led to Malta becoming a British protectorate, and the hospital was converted into the Station Hospital, playing a key role in military healthcare for over a century.

Due to its strategic location overlooking the Grand Harbour, the hospital became an essential facility for treating soldiers wounded in conflicts such as the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, and World War I. By the early 20th century, Malta had earned the reputation of “Nurse of the Mediterranean”, as thousands of British and Allied troops were treated here.

A major restoration effort began in 1978, preserving its architectural grandeur while adapting it into the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Officially inaugurated in 1979, the MCC has since hosted high-profile international events, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Valletta Summit on Migration.

A Symbolic Venue for IDAHOT+ Forum 2025

With its majestic stone halls and arched corridors, the MCC is not just a venue—it is a monument to resilience, healing, and progress. Once a place of compassionate care and medical advancement, it now serves as a hub for dialogue, inclusion, and human rights. As the IDAHOT+ Forum 2025 brings together advocates and policymakers to champion LGBTIQ+ equality, the MCC stands as a fitting reminder that progress is built on history, courage, and the commitment to dignity for all.