Manuel Pinto da Fonseca

Fra ' Manuel Pinto de Fonseca ( born May 24, 1681 Lamego, Portugal, † January 23, 1773 in Valletta, Malta) was from 18 January 1741 to his death (1773 ) the 68th Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

Life

As a Portuguese nobleman, he was up to his election as Grand Master Knight of the Order of the Castilian tongue of the Order of Malta.

In 1749 his bodyguard Cassar refused to participate in a Muslim slave uprising, which was planned by Mustafa Pasha. This led to the detection and suppression of the revolt. This event was celebrated every June 29.

He left the hostel the Castilians (Auberge de Castille et Leone), which had already begun in 1574, complete. It is one of the most imposing buildings in Valletta.

He was friends with the impostor and alchemist Cagliostro.

He used the best connections in the European royal houses and built the religious army decisively. He was committed to the arts and education. 1768 Pinto drove the Jesuits from Malta, dissolved the Jesuit Collegium Melitense and founded the public State University of General Studies, University of Malta today.