Grand Master Frà Don Martin de Redin was one of the most significant military leaders of the Order of St John in the 17th century. Serving as the 58th Grand Master from 17 August 1657 until 6 February 1660, his short but impactful rule left a lasting legacy on Malta’s defensive infrastructure, military organisation, and architectural heritage.
Today, he is commemorated with an elaborate funerary monument located in the Chapel of the Langue of Aragon within St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, one of the most important Baroque monuments in Europe.
Early Life and Rise to Power
Martin de Redin was born in 1579 in Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. He joined the Order of St John and rose steadily through its ranks, becoming Grand Prior of Navarre in 1641 and later Viceroy of Sicily in 1656.
Following the death of Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, Redin was elected Grand Master on 17 August 1657 after a politically charged election process within the Order.
Grand Mastership (1657–1660)
Defence and Military Reforms
During his magistracy, Malta faced continuous threats from Ottoman forces and Barbary corsairs. Redin responded decisively by strengthening the island’s defensive network.
One of his most enduring achievements was the construction of the 13 De Redin coastal watch towers. These towers formed a communication chain around Malta’s coastline, allowing rapid signalling in case of enemy attack.
He also established a corps of 4,000 musketeers, significantly enhancing the island’s defensive readiness and reinforcing the military strength of the Order.
Economic and Infrastructure Contributions
Redin addressed food shortages by importing grain from Sicily and initiating the excavation of large underground granaries near Fort St Elmo in Valletta. These storage systems ensured a stable food supply and demonstrated advanced planning in resource management.
Artistic Patronage and the Cathedral
Grand Master de Redin was also a patron of the arts. He commissioned works by the renowned Baroque artist Mattia Preti, including paintings for the Chapel of Aragon.
His patronage contributed to the transformation of St John’s Co-Cathedral into a richly decorated Baroque masterpiece, later expanded under subsequent Grand Masters.
The Chapel of the Langue of Aragon
The Chapel of the Langue of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre is one of the most historically significant chapels within St John’s Co-Cathedral. It was assigned to the Aragonese knights in the early 17th century and dedicated to St George.
The chapel’s elaborate Baroque decoration, including its gilded stone carvings and dome, was initiated during Redin’s reign between 1659 and 1666.
Among its artistic highlights are:
- Mattia Preti’s paintings, including works related to St Lawrence and St Francis Xavier
- Rich marble funerary monuments of Grand Masters
- Highly detailed gilded stone carvings and sculptural decoration
The Tomb of Martin de Redin
Grand Master Martin de Redin died in Malta on 6 February 1660 and was buried within the Chapel of Aragon in St John’s Co-Cathedral.
His monument reflects the prestige of his office and the traditions of the Order. Like other Grand Masters of the period, his burial within the cathedral symbolised both religious devotion and political authority.
The cathedral itself contains nearly 400 richly inlaid marble tombstones commemorating knights of noble European families, making it one of the most important funerary sites of the Order.
Latin Inscription – Tomb of Grand Master Frà Don Martin de Redin
D.O.M.
AETERNAE MEMORIAE SACRUM
MAGNI MAGISTRI DON MARTINI DE REDIN.
MAGNI XAVERII OB GENUS PROPINQUUM.
CUIUS ANTE AETATEM PRAEMATURA VIRTUS SICULAE, DEIN NEAPOLITANAE
CLASSIBUS PRAEFECTURAM MERIT.
ADULTUS AD PONTIFICEM SUMMUM ET HISPANUM REGEM LEGATUS PROFECTUS
EXERCITUS REGIOS APUD CATALANOS ET GALLECOS CAETEROSQUE HISPANIAE POPULOS
SUMMA CUM IMPERIO REXIT.
INDE VICTORIIS, MERITIS, ATQUE ANNIS AUCTUS EX PRIORE NAVARRAE, SICILIAE PROREGE,
PRINCEPS MELITAE ABSENS ELECTUS
INSULAM PROPUGNACULIS, AC TURRITIS SPECULIS, URBES AGGERIBUS,
CONSTRUCTISQUE HORREIS, ET ANNONA AC VARIO BELLI COMMEATU INSTRUCTIS MUNIVIT.
SUMMA DEMUM OMNIA SUMMO ILLO SUO MAGISTRATU CESSIT.
AC PRO BIENNII ANGUSTIIS STUPENDA
DUCE VI ILLONI EXEMPLO SECUTUS, EXPEDITIONIS HIEROSOLYMITANAE
PRINCIPIBUS EUROPAE ESSE ULTRO VEL DUCEM, VEL COMITEM OBTULIT.
OBIIT DIE VI FEBRUARII MDCLX, AETATIS SEPTUAGESIMO, IMPERII TERTIO.
English Translation
To God, the Best and Greatest.
Sacred to eternal memory of the Grand Master Don Martin de Redin,
kinsman of the great St Francis Xavier.
Even before reaching full age, his exceptional ability earned him command
of the Sicilian and later the Neapolitan fleets.
As a mature man, he was sent as ambassador to the Supreme Pontiff
and to the King of Spain, and he commanded royal armies among the Catalans,
the Galicians, and other peoples of Spain with the highest authority.
Thereafter, increased in victories, merits, and years, from Prior of Navarre
and Viceroy of Sicily, he was elected Prince of Malta in his absence.
He fortified the island with bastions, watchtowers, and urban defences,
and strengthened it with granaries, provisions, and all the necessities of war.
Finally, he devoted all his efforts to the highest duties of his magistracy.
Despite the short span of his rule, following the example of great leaders,
he offered himself to the princes of Europe as either leader or companion
in a new expedition to the Holy Land.
He died on the 6th day of February 1660,
in the seventieth year of his age and the third of his reign.
Legacy of Grand Master de Redin
Despite ruling for less than three years, Martin de Redin left a profound legacy in Malta:
- Coastal Defence: The De Redin towers remain a defining feature of Malta’s coastline
- Military Strength: Establishment of organised musketeer forces
- Infrastructure: Grain storage systems ensured food security
- Art & Architecture: Contributions to the Chapel of Aragon and St John’s Co-Cathedral
His initiatives laid the groundwork for future Grand Masters, particularly the Cotoner brothers, who continued embellishing the cathedral and strengthening Malta’s fortifications.
St John’s Co-Cathedral Context
Built between 1572 and 1577 by the Knights of St John, St John’s Co-Cathedral served as the Order’s conventual church and spiritual centre.
Its interior, later transformed into a Baroque masterpiece, reflects the wealth and artistic patronage of the Knights. Each chapel represents one of the Order’s langues, including Aragon, where Redin is buried.
Historical Timeline
- 1579: Birth of Martin de Redin
- 1641: Becomes Grand Prior of Navarre
- 1656–1657: Viceroy of Sicily
- 17 August 1657: Elected Grand Master
- 1657–1660: Rule of Malta
- 1658: Granaries excavated in Valletta
- 1659–1666: Decoration of Chapel of Aragon begins
- 6 February 1660: Death and burial in St John’s Co-Cathedral
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Martin de Redin?
He was the 58th Grand Master of the Order of St John, ruling Malta from 1657 to 1660.
Where is he buried?
In the Chapel of the Langue of Aragon at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta.
What did he build in Malta?
He built 13 coastal watch towers, created granaries, and strengthened the island’s military.
Why is he important?
He played a key role in strengthening Malta’s defences and contributing to the cathedral’s artistic heritage.
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