historian, poet, writer
Born in Valletta, Ciantar, he is considered one of Malta’s leading historians and epistolists of the 18th century. Count Gio Antonio Ciantar is best known as the author of the following books: Malta Illustrata 1772, 1780).
He studied first in Malta, then in Mallorca, Genoa, Pisa, Florence, Siena, and Livorno, studying literature, history, geography, and other subjects. In Rome he also studied theology, law, mathematics, and poetry. He wrote poetry in Latin and Italian.
In 1721 Ciantar moved to Palermo, where he was given important responsibilities by Viceroy Portacarello. Grand Master de Vilhena appointed him jurat of three cities. His home was a library and museum.
Ciantar also studied archaeology, Greek and French, and corresponded with international scholars who called him the “Sage of Malta”. When he went blind at the age of 55, he dictated his writing. He is especially remembered as a historian and researcher of folklore.
This biography is part of a collection created by Michael Schiavone over a period of 30 years.Read more about Schiavone and his efforts here.