THE WIZARD FALZON

During the 16th century, the Falsone family of Mdina played an important role in Malta’s public life, with several family members holding prominent leadership positions. The top municipal office at that time was called the Capitano della Verga, similar to a town mayor, and in Maltese, it was known as the Ħakem. Ambrosius de Falzono, son of a lawyer named Laurencius, became Ħakem on June 22, 1523. Earlier, in 1512, Laurencius’s younger brother had also served as mayor. A Giacomo Falsone replaced him in 1513-14. Then, in 1525-26, Michael de Falsone, son of another lawyer, Andreas, held the post, followed by Petrus Falsone in 1526-27. Clearly, the Falsones were highly respected and influential in Malta’s civic sphere.

Palazzo Falson in Mdina. Source: kliemustorja.com

One notable member of the family was Matheo (Matthew) Falsone (also known as Falzon in present-day Maltese), a nobleman from Mdina, who was elected Capitano della Verga in 1561. Matthew’s life was particularly interesting because he was drawn to the ideas of Lutheranism, a religious movement that was reforming Christianity across Europe at the time. Although he faced accusations of heresy in 1545, he managed to clear his name. However, trouble arose for him again in 1575 when Malta’s Inquisitor, Pietro Dusina, learned of secret gatherings of people accused of heretical beliefs. These gatherings were reported to take place in the house of a Notary named Bartholomeo Axixe, with people like Matheo Falsone, Bartholomeo Bonello, and Doctor Francesco Xerri attending.

When Dusina formally accused Matthew Falzon of heresy, Matthew fled Malta along with his friend Thomaso Bonello. They escaped to Sicily, hoping to find safety, but the Inquisition tracked them there as well. Dusina requested that the Sicilian Inquisition arrest Matthew and return him to Malta before he could escape to Geneva, another city known for religious reform. Matthew never returned to Malta, and the Inquisition sentenced him in absentia. His lands were confiscated, and a piece of this land later became the site of the Girgenti Palace near Siġġiewi and the summer residence of Malta’s Inquisitors. It is now the official summer residence of Malta’s Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the Cleric Wenzu Falson(e), who had also been accused along with Matthew of witchcraft, went into self-exile in France, where he continued to go against the Catholic church’s teachings.

Matheo Falsone, National Library of Malta

1562 Map of Sicily and Malta 1562. Source: helmink.com

Girgenti Palace

Interestingly, a drawing found in the margins of an old manuscript at the National Library of Malta is believed to be a portrait of Matheo Falsone. This sketch is considered the earliest known portrait of a Maltese person. Over time, stories about Matthew turned into a popular legend, giving him a mysterious, almost mythical status. He became known as is-Saħħar Falzun, (the Wizard Falzon). According to the tale, during a dinner with knights, the Inquisitor called Matthew from his dungeon in Birgu to entertain the guests. Matthew supposedly asked for a barrel of water and a piece of string. Holding one end of the string, he jumped headfirst into the water barrel and disappeared, only to send a letter back from Sicily sometime later with the message ‘Remember me.’ Falzon told his Sicilian servant to kill him, cut his body into pieces, and bury him in the basement. Falzon believed that if this happened, he would come back to life as the Anti-Christ. Every week, the servant was supposed to mail a letter to a religious leader in Malta, as if Falzon were still alive.

Inquisitor’s Palace, Birgu

Agostino Levanzin