The Counts of Mont'Alto are a noble house of Malta.

(Limited to Males only)

• Titled: Alfred Manduca, as the 9th Count.
• Heir: (his brother) Joseph Manduca, 10th Baron of Buleben and Contino di Montalto.

The title of Mont’Alto was created to Dr Bernardo Piscopo-Macedonia LL.D, a jurat of Notabile in 1720 at Piacenza by Francis I Farnese, Reigning Duca di Parma.

Bernardo, being without issue petitioned for permission to nominate one of his grand-nephews as his successor to the title, the further descent being to the male issue of his successor according to primogeniture. He also asked for permission to found a primogeniture based on the fief. The Duke of Parma gave his assent on 1724 and 1725.

The feudatory of the old and noble fief of Mont'Alto in the Duchy of Parma, given to Bernardo Piscopo and his direct descendants were also entrusted with this prerogative. Although, in practice, a Titolato had to register his title in both the cancelleria and in the Castellania and pay a fee of 116 scudi, the absence of such a registration did not necessarily invalidate the act of ennoblement.

The petition of the first Count of Mont'Alto was not only accepted, but the Italian Grand Master Zondadari issued a special decree to that affect. The owners of a large number of owners were prosperous, prominent persons who were to become ancestors of the new nobility created in the eighteenth century. Bernardo Macedonia the Capomaestro of the Gozitian artillary and the ancestor of Count Piscopo Macedonia built, in 1613, the tower of Sant Cilia on the outskirts of Mgarr in Gozo. In 1628, Grand Master de Paule granted a special privilege to all those who lived on Macedonia's lands exempting them from all guardie. Bernardo nominated his eldest grand nephew, Felice Manduca-Piscopo.

Felice,the 2nd Count of Mont’Alto died in 1775, leaving no male issue, where upon his brother, Salvatore Manduca-Piscopo petitioned Ferdinand I, Duke of Parma for permission to inherit the title. This request was granted on the 28th of December 1776. Since then, the title has descended thru the male line according to primogeniture. For matters of precedence in Malta, the title is considered to have been granted in 1776. The holder of the primogeniture is obliged to used the Name and Arms of Piscopo-Macedonia.

During the last years of the Order of Malta, Hompesch appointed three Counts (Manduca, Barbaro and Teuma Castelletti) and one Marquis ( Mallia-Tabone) as Jurats of Notabile.

Under the French occupation, the parents had to pay 800 livres for their sons' board and lodging, and 600 livres for their passage on board French warships. The chosen studnets had to waer 'blue trousers and waistcoats, red cuffs, and facing and white pipings'. Those families who refused to send their sons to France were to be fined 1000 scudi. Among those who were intially chosen were the young Count Fontani, the three sons of Count Sant, and four other boys whose fathers were respectively Baron Galea, Marquis Mallia, Count Manduca, and Marquis Testaferrata.

Salvatore, the 3rd Count was succeeded by his son in 1800, Sir Vincenzo Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia K.C.M.G, 4th Count was a member of the Malta council of Government and married the daughter of the Baron di San Marciano, though died without any children.

His successor was his nephew, Rev. Mgr. Salvatore Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, Domestic Prelate to H.H The Pope and Apostolic Pronotary. Died unmarried in 1885, succeeded by his nephew, Francesco Manduca-Piscopo-Macedonia, as the 6th Count.

Francesco married twice, firstly to Nicolina Azopardi dei Baroni di Buleben, without issue, and secondly to her sister Angliolina, with issue.

Francesco, died in 1916 and succeeded by his eldest son, Bernardo, who died in 1972, unmarried. Bernardo’s successor was his nephew, Francis, who was also Baron di Buleben.

Francis was the first in his family to hold both titles of Count of Mont’Alto and Baron di Buleben, untill his death, when the titles were split between his sons.

Alfred, the successor and present holder to the title of Count of Mont'Alto.

 References: * 1) Said Vassallo, C.M., Unpublished research papers. * 2) Said Vassallo, C.M.,[Charles Said-Vassallo's Research site (http://www.maltagenealogy.com)] and[Maltese Nobility web site (http://www.maltesenobility.org)]. 

This Research was researched by Charles Said-Vassallo

(Text originally based on that of a website by Charles Said Vassallo, by permission.)