Pierre de Monte

Pietro del Monte
Grand Master of the Order of Saint John
In office
23 August 1568 – 26 January 1572
Monarch King Philip I
Preceded by Jean Parisot de Valette
Succeeded by Jean de la Cassière
Personal details
Born 1499
Italy
Died 26 January 1572 (aged 73)
Malta
Resting place St. John's Co-Cathedral
Nationality Italian
Military service
Allegiance Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John
Commands Fort Saint Michael
Battles/wars Siege of Rhodes
Great Siege of Malta

Fra' Pietro del Monte was an Italian nobleman who was the 50th Grand Master of the Order of Saint John from 1568 to 1572.

Pietro del Monte was born in Italy in 1499. His original name was Guido Lotti, but took the name San Savino del Monti in 1550. He was a nephew of Pope Julius III. Prior to his arrival in Malta he was a friar in Capua. He also fought in the siege of Rhodes of 1522.

During the Great Siege of Malta of 1565, del Monte was in command of Fort Saint Michael in Senglea. For most of the siege, the fort was cut off from the bulk of the Order's forces in Birgu. Del Monte managed to hold the fort for 55 days until the arrival of de Toledo's relief force on 8 September.

Del Monte was appointed as Grand Master on 23 August 1568, three days after his predecessor Jean Parisot de Valette's death. During his rule as Grand Master, del Ponte continued the construction of the new capital Valletta.[1] In 1569, he built Del Monte Gate to a design by Francesco Laparelli. This gate was demolished by the British in 1884 to make way for the larger Victoria Gate.[2] The Order officially moved to the city of Valletta during del Monte's reign, on 18 March 1571.

The Order's fleet was also strengthened during his reign, and took part in the victorious Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571.[3]

Del Monte died on 26 January 1572 and was succeeded by Jean de la Cassière.

References

  1. ↑ "History of Valletta". Valletta Local Council. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "A unique work of engineering". Times of Malta. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Knights of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta - Grand Masters of the Maltese period". vassallomalta.com. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
Preceded by
Jean Parisot de Valette		 Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller
1568–1572 		Succeeded by
Jean de la Cassière
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