SIGNED COPY – Ta’ Braxia Cemetery – Compiled By Conrad Thake And Janica Buhagiar

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The introduction explains that ‘The Ta’ Braxia cemetery at Pieta was designed and planned by the Maltese architect Emanuele Galizia, at the time still in his twenties. It is for all intents and purposes, the first extra-mural cemetery to be established in Malta. This book narrates the challenging religion-political context that prevailed during the mid-nineteenth century and the steadfast determination of the British colonial government, then headed by Governor Sir William Reid, to implement this project for the “formation of a cemetery at Ta’ Braxia for all denominations without distinction of creed”, even when faced by opposition from conservative Catholic quarters. It traces the foundation of the cemetery from its establishment in 1855-1857, to its physical expansion around 1880

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It also considers the distinctive qualities and characteristics of a garden-cemetery and the diverse typology and rich iconographical symbolism of the various funerary monuments at Ta’ Braxia. The last section deals with the origins and history of the Lady Rachel Hamilton Gordon chapel (1893-94) which is the main architectural icon of the cemetery. Besides the main analytical text, the book includes several transcripts of original archival documents and contemporary newspaper reports, a comprehensive photographic documentation of the cemetery complex in its present state and a specially commissioned selection of architectural drawings comprising a general plan of the cemetery and plans, elevations and section of the memorial chapel. This certainly encourages everyone to visit the beautiful and important building, but often overlooked, building. From the first printing in 2017. 156 pages printed on high quality 170 gsm gloss paper with splendid monochrome photography. Signed by Professor Conrad Thake, this volume is unused and in ‘mint’ condition. Donated from a private collection in support of the Save The Valletta Skyline Appeal. Hardbound with dust jacket and limited to 500 copies. Published by The Department of Art and Art History, Faculty of Art, University of Malta 2017