Pietro del Monte was born in Italy in 1499. His original name was Guido Lotti, but took the name San Savino del Monti in 1550. He was a nephew of
Pope Julius III. Prior to his arrival in
Malta he was a friar in
Capua. He also fought in the
siege of Rhodes of 1522. During the
Great Siege of Malta of 1565, del Monte was in command of
Fort Saint Michael in
Senglea. For most of the siege, the fort was cut off from the bulk of the Order's forces in
Birgu. Del Monte managed to hold the fort for 55 days until the arrival of
de Toledo's relief force on 8 September. Del Monte was appointed as Grand Master on 23 August 1568, three days after the death of his predecessor
Jean Parisot de Valette, after whom the Malta capital is named. During his rule as Grand Master, del Ponte continued the construction of the new capital
Valletta. In 1569, he built Del Monte Gate to a design by
Francesco Laparelli. This gate was demolished by the British in 1884 to make way for the larger
Victoria Gate. The Order officially moved to the city of Valletta during del Monte's reign, on 18 March 1571. The Order's fleet was also strengthened during his reign, and took part in the victorious
Battle of Lepanto on 7 October 1571. Del Monte died on 26 January 1572 and was succeeded by
Jean de la Cassière. ==External links==