Fra Marc'Antonio Zondadari, from Siena, was elected Grand Master of the Knights of Malta in 1720, after the death of Fra Ramon Perellos de Roccaful. Although his reign only lasted until 1722, he was popular with the Maltese. During his reign Carnival traditions were strengthened with the establishment of the Kukkanja.

His body is buried in a magnificent monument by Massimiliano Soldani Benzi in the St John's Co-Cathedral while his heart was buried in his native Siena, much to the dismay of the Maltese. This monument is baroque work of art in bronze and marble which shows the Grand Master reclining. This is the only monument found in nave of the church because it did not fit in the chapel of the langue of Italy.

External links

• Coins of Grandmaster Marcantonio Zondadari