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 Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, a Portuguese Knight from the "Langue" of
Castille, succeeded Grandmaster Zondadari on the 19th of June 1722. On  the little island in "Marsamxett"
Harbour, De Vilhena constructed Fort Manoel under the direction of the famous architect
Chev. Mondion. Moreover, this small island (on which Fort Manoel was constructed) in the middle of
"Marsamxett" Harbour was given the name of De Vilhena and in fact it is still known today as Manoel
Island. Between Valletta and the fortifications of Floriani (another military engineer who constructed
new fortifications outside Valletta), he also founded the suburb of Floriana. There he instituted a home for poor
unmarried woman and another for incurables. He also had a theatre (later called Manoel Theatre)
built in Valletta. Grandmaster De Vilhena died on the 12th of December 1736.
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