Casa Cosmana Navarra
{{Infobox building
| name = Casa Cosmana Navarra
| image = Casa_Cosmana_Navarra.jpeg
| former_names =
| image_caption = Front façade of Casa Cosmana Navarra
| pushpin_map = Malta
| coordinates = {{coord|35|52|55.46|N|14|23|56.02|E|display=inline}}
| status = Intact
| building_type = Townhouse
| architectural_style = Vernacular and Baroque
| namesake =
| completion_date = 17th century
| renovation_date = 2014
| owner = Jonathan Castellari
| material = Limestone
| floor_count = 2
| floor_area =
| architect =
| ren_architect =
| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20160111205641/http://cosmana.com/ www.cosmana.com]
}}
Casa Cosmana Navarra ({{langx|en|Cosmana Navarra House}}) is a 17th-century aristocratic townhouse in Rabat, Malta. The building belonged to Cosmana Navarra (1600-1687), for whom it is named until date, who was the main benefactress of the rebuilding of the Rabat parish church of St. Paul. The house is found in front of the parish church opposite the Wignacourt Museum. Most of the building was converted into a restaurant.
Location
Casa Cosmana Navarra is found at 28 St. Paul’s Street in Rabat, Malta, next to Rabat's parish church and close to The Wignacourt Museum.[http://www.cosmana.com/contactus.htm "Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326211208/http://www.cosmana.com/contactus.htm |date=March 26, 2016 }}, 2007.14 September 2014, [http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140914/food-drink/Two-are-better-than-one.535860 "Two are better than one"], Times of Malta.
History
Casa Cosmana Navarra{{cite book |last1=Caruana Dingli |first1=Petra |title=Writing a Family Narrative: The Three Houses of Cosmana Navarra |date=2022 |publisher=Wignacourt Museum |location=Non Omnis Moriar: Essays in Memory of Dun Gwann Azzopardi |page=12–32 |url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105904}} was one of the few residential houses built in the 17th century in Rabat, the suburb of Mdina,Thake, Conrad Gerald (1996), [https://books.google.com/books?id=ow9NAQAAMAAJ&q=guzmana+navarra "MDINA: Architectural and Urban Transformations of a Citadel in Malta"]. University of California, Berkeley. p. 62. as building outside fortified cities was not encouraged.[https://vassallohistory.wordpress.com/the-rabat-qanat/ Roman city] Cosmana Navarra (born Guzmana Cumbo; when married, Cassar; known by her mother's surname as Navarra)[http://www.malta-canada.com/churches-chapels/Rabat-Malta.htm "Rabat"], Malta-Canada.Rev Can. John Azzopardi (2004), [http://www.spanishmaltesecentre.org/el-club-de-viernes/2004-2005/ "Cosmana Navarra"], Lecture about Cosmana Navarra, Centro Cultural Hispano Maltés. was the daughter of Gakbu Cumbo and Cornelia Cumbo (née Navarra), of the Cumbo-Navarra family. On 22 June 1625, at the age of 25, she married her only lifetime husband Lorenzo Cassar[http://www.reachmalta.com/what-to-see/rabat/the-churches-of-st-paul-st-publius "The Side-by-side Churches of St. Paul and St. Publius"], The Church of St. Paul, Reach Malta. in the (previous) Cathedral of Imdina. The marriage was childless, in which case gave Cosmana Navarra more time to dedicate for the building of her house and the restructuring of the parish church in Rabat, Malta.
Cosmana Navarra was a devotee of St. Paul and this is shown by her interest[http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm "About Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102209/http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, 2007. and actions involved with the St. Paul pilgrimage site in Rabat of St. Paul’s Cave (Grotto), at the now Wignacourt Museum.[http://www.cosmana.com/contactus.htm "Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326211208/http://www.cosmana.com/contactus.htm |date=March 26, 2016 }}, 2007. She was a main philanthropistSalvatoris, Pallottini (1869), [https://books.google.com/books?id=kfaCvzG-L2QC&dq=cosmana+navarra&pg=PA90 "Collectio omnium conclusionum et resolutionum quae in causis propositis apud sacram congregationem cardinalium S. Concilii Tridentini interpretum prodierunt ab ejus institutione, Salvator Pallottini"], typis Sacrae congregationis de propaganda fide, Lyon Public Library (Bibliothèque jésuite des Fontaines), p. 90. for the re-construction of the parish church that was aimed to receive several pilgrims from Europe; that can be considered a historic development in tourism in Malta. She made sure that Casa Cosmana Navarra and the Wignacourt Museum are both featured as the main building at opposite sides of each other in front the church, of which both are corner buildings.14 September 2014, [http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140914/food-drink/Two-are-better-than-one.535860 "Two are better than one"], Times of Malta. Through her father her surname was Cumbo and with marriage she became officially Cassar but she was always referred to by her mother's surname as Navarra.[http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm "About Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102209/http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, 2007.[https://dealtoday.com.mt/deal/cosmana-navarra.html "Indulge in a 3 course meal at Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, savor great food, excellent service in a warm ambiance"]. Deal Today, 2014.
File:Casa_Cosmana_Navarra_niche.jpeg in the former garden of Casa Cosmana Navarra, now a closed area]]
Cosmana was the mastermind after the various parts of the rebuilding of St. Paul Parish ChurchSciberras, Keith (2006), [https://books.google.com/books?id=dXLqAAAAMAAJ&q=cosmana+navarra "Melchiorre Cafà"], Midsea Books, for the History of Art Programme, University of Malta, {{ISBN|9789993270973}}, p. 119-20. that stands just outside her cornered townhouse,Rix, Juliet (2013), [https://books.google.com/books?id=FzeTVgOkeRQC&dq=cosmana+navarra&pg=PA224 "Malta and Gozo"], Bradt Travel Guides, {{ISBN|9781841624525}}, P. 224. Casa Cosmana Navarra. The new design on the church was given to Lorenzo Gafa according to Cosmana's choice. Works on the parish church started in 1653 but stopped shortly in 1662, to then continue in 1664. A document dated to 19 April 1664 says that Cosmana paid 1700 scudi for the continuation of the project which had stopped in 1662. In 1666 the San Anton Chapel was finalized and received the blessing of the local Bishop Lucas Buenos;[http://sanpawl.rabatmalta.com/?page_id=11&lang=en "The Collegiate Church of St Paul"], San Pawl - Rabat Malta, Church, 2013. this is known by a letter sent to her by the bishop, dated on 10 July 1666.De Piro, Nicholas (1983), [https://books.google.com/books?id=PxcXqBYqzTsC&q=cosmana+navarra "Lost letters: an ostensibly historical divertimento"], Pedigree, {{ISBN|9780948654046}}, p. 31.
Eventually Cosmana had paid for the titular painting of the church in 1678, followed by the church patio (or courtyard) a year later in 1679. Cosmana had written to Grandmaster Nicolas Cotoner in order to sell her a nearby land next to the parish church, of which acquisition could extend and ameliorate the church and surrounding, but at her disappointment this was initially denied.John T. Spike (1999), [https://books.google.com/books?id=nNXqAAAAMAAJ&q=cosmana+navarra "Mattia Preti: e l'Ordine di San Giovanni tra la Calabria e Malta"], Electa Napoli, p. 34-6. Historically there was always a conflict between the Order of St. John and Roman Catholic priests in Malta in which case this also included issues related to St. Paul's Cave (Grotto).16 June 2013, [http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-06-16/news/unsolved-mysteries-at-mattia-preti-study-day-1836154880/ "Unsolved mysteries at Mattia Preti study day"], The Malta Independent. In 1680 Grand Master Gregorio Carafa conceded to give the property next to the church to Cosmana, allowing her to build the Chapel of St. Stephen as part of the parish church's side chapels, on condition of having his portrait at the church.Azzopardi, John (12 June 2013), Nel Complesso Paolino di Rabat, Malta: opere commesionate a Mattia Preti in seguito ad una concessione di Gregorio Carafa. in Sante Guido, Giuseppe Mantella and Maria Teresa Sorrenti (ed.). [https://www.academia.edu/15929883/Mattia_Preti_e_Gregorio_Carafa._Due_Cavalieri_Gerosolimitani_tra_Italia_e_Malta Mattia Preti e Gregorio Carafa. Due Cavalieri Gerosolimitani tra Italia e Malta]. academia.edu. Istituto Italiano di Cultura. Valletta: Malta. pp. 44-45. Sometimes later she even added the Chapel of St. Publius to the parish church.[http://sanpawl.rabatmalta.com/?page_id=11&lang=en "The Collegiate Church of St Paul"], San Pawl - Rabat Malta, Church, 2013. In 1683 Cosmana paid for the construction of an underground for St. Paul's Grotto, and for the new baroque facade of the parish church seen just outside her house.Vittorio G. Rizzone, Federica Sabatini (eds.) (2008), [https://books.google.com/books?id=Q6kH_OKR9-EC&dq=cosmana+navarra&pg=PA10 "Gli ipogei di Wignacourt a Rabat"], Volume 9 of KASA (Koiné archeologica, sapiente antichitá), Officina di Studi Medievali, {{ISBN|9788888615820}}, p. 10.
File:Coat-of-arms_Cosmana_Navarra.jpeg
Cosmana died on 30 January 1687 when she was 87 years and was interned at the San Anton Chapel, that is found inside the St. Paul Parish Church. Her ambitious plan for the reconstruction of the parish church was finished before her death. In remembrance of her as the founder and philanthropist of the parish church there are at least two art works depicting her inside the church; one features her next to Casa Cosmana Navarra and the parish church. Significantly these paintings feature: the side patio (Zuntier) of the parish church and the designs (plans) of the church in her hands.13 February 2008, [http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2008-02-13/local-news/The-Wignacourt-Museum-And-its-treasures-(II)-203633 "The Wignacourt Museum And its treasures (II)"], The Malta Independent. These images were intentionally painted to convey a message of her being the projects' main philanthropist; it significantly lead to her house, Casa Cosmana Navarra, to be featured first inside the church as a painting, and secondly (after demolishing several other houses to build the church’s patio) physically let her house featuring in an outstanding position next to the church.[https://dealtoday.com.mt/deal/cosmana-navarra.html "Indulge in a 3 course meal at Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, savor great food, excellent service in a warm ambiance"]. Deal Today, 2014.[http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm "About Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102209/http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, 2007.
In 1735, artist Gio Nicola Buhagiar, was commissioned to paint her of which painting is found in the sacristy of San Anton Chapel where she rests.Sciberras Keith (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=KYVHAQAAIAAJ&q=cosmana+navarra "Baroque Painting in Malta"], Midsea Books, {{ISBN|9789993272496}}, p. 413. The family's coat-of-arms features on several objects and places such as on Cosmana's tombstone and painting at the Parish Church, on silver artifacts which she left as dowry to the Roman Cathoclic Church in Malta and on the inside of Casa Cosmana Navarra's main entrance door.Cini, George (2003), [http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20031103/local/famous-17th-century-sculptors-works-on-display.137393 "Famous 17th century sculptor's works on display"], Times of Malta.[https://dealtoday.com.mt/deal/cosmana-navarra.html "Indulge in a 3 course meal at Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, savor great food, excellent service in a warm ambiance"]. Deal Today, 2014.[http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm "About Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102209/http://www.cosmana.com/aboutus.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, 2007. Costmana wrote her doury in 1675 with local notary Nicola Allegretto.De Piro, Joseph, [http://multimedia.josephdepiro.com/DOCUMENTS/Others/BenefNavarra.htm "Mill-Postulazzjoni Sant' Agata Rabat"].5 May 2004, [https://www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/50796/baroqueroutes5.pdf "Baroque Routes"], University of Malta, Newsletter.
Architecture
Casa Cosmana Navarra is considered as a traditional Maltese townhouse.[https://www.homeexchange.com/en/listing/tripadvisor/379341 "Typical Maltese townhouse"]{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Restaurants, Homes Exchange. It has a vernacular and modern facade, that includes a closed timber balcony and two neoclassic columns uncommon to the time. In the inside it features some baroque architectureRichards, Brian (2008), [https://books.google.com/books?id=XO6EDIMeTfAC&dq=cosmana+navarra+baroque&pg=PA87 "Malta"], New Holland Publishers, {{ISBN|9781845378714}}, p. 87. including the coat-of-arms of the family, the decorative archways from a room to the other upstairs, and features in the former courtyard (now a room as well). It has several spacious rooms inside. Most of the building is a restaurant and open to the public.[http://www.cosmana.com/ "Welcome"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111205641/http://www.cosmana.com/ |date=January 11, 2016 }} Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, 2007.14 September 2014, [http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140914/food-drink/Two-are-better-than-one.535860 "Two are better than one"], Times of Malta.
Ristorante Cosmana Navarra
Since the 20th-century Casa Cosmana Navarra has been a restaurant specializing in pizza and pasta.[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/mdina-and-rabat/restaurants/italian/cosmana-navarra "Cosmana Navarra"], Lonely Planet.14 September 2014, [http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140914/food-drink/Two-are-better-than-one.535860 "Two are better than one"], Times of Malta.16 November 2008, [http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2008-11-16/news/caring-for-people-with-disabilities-and-their-families-216014/ "Caring For people with disabilities and their families"], The Malta Independent. It was initially run by Maltese people but more recently is run by an Italian family.[http://www.cosmana.com/gallery.htm "Gallery - Restaurant Images"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326133225/http://www.cosmana.com/gallery.htm |date=March 26, 2016 }}, Ristorante Cosmana Navarra, 2007. The restaurant is found on Trip Advisor.[http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g190326-d812476-Reviews-Ristorante_Cosmana_Navarra-Rabat_Island_of_Malta.html "Ristorante Cosmana Navarra"]. The restaurant is run by Chef Jonathan Castellari since 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.italianiamalta.com/iniziative/cosmana-navarra/www.italianiamalta.com/jonathan-castellari-chef-italiano-a-malta/|title=Cosmana Navarra|date=November 2016|work=Italiani a Malta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426121204/http://www.italianiamalta.com/jonathan-castellari-chef-italiano-a-malta/|archive-date=26 April 2017}}, Italiani a Malta, 2015. The restaurant offers a "park and ride" service to reach the place for customers who use cars in order to address parking issues. This initiative was supported by the Government of Malta and is considered a positive initiative by Minister of Transport Evarist Bartolo.26 December 2014, [http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141226/local/parking-policy-to-be-presented-to-cabinet-soon-minister.549621 "Parking policy to be presented to cabinet soon - minister"], Times of Malta.[http://www.italianiamalta.com/iniziative/cosmana-navarra/ "Cosmana Navarra'], Italiani a Malta, 2015.
Further reading
- {{cite news|last=Borg|first=Victor Borg|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/revealed-property-magnates-massive-development-in-qala.762915|title=Revealed: property magnate's massive development in Qala - Extensive piece of land linked to magistrate's family|date=13 January 2019|work=Times of Malta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113132053/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/revealed-property-magnates-massive-development-in-qala.762915|archive-date=13 January 2020}}