The Inquisition Palace staircase in Birgu by Carapecchia (18th century): architecture and construction under the Order of St. John of Jerusalem

Carapecchia’s 18th-century project for the grand staircase of the Inquisitor’s palace in Birgu belongs to a long construction tradition based on the use of carved stone. During the Order of St. John of Jerusalem’s rule, works of exceptional value are documented in the staircase construction sector, such as the imperial staircases in the Grand Master Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle’s palace, extensively studied by the scientific literature. This contribution aims to analyse the construction history of the Inquisitor’s 18th-century staircase by looking on one side to the long-standing stereotomy tradition of the use of stone in Malta and on the other side, to the application of Carapecchia’s theoretical knowledge to this particular construction site.