The National Museum of Fine Arts, commonly known as MUŻA (an acronym for Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti; muza is also a Maltese word meaning inspiration), was established in 1974 to house a collection of works of art by Maltese and foreign artists. There are numerous paintings by Mattia Preti (1613-1699), a Maltese artist who transformed the austere surroundings of the Knights into Baroque masterpieces, and a priceless collection of antique maps. The museum is housed in the Auberge d'Italie, a building erected in the late 16th century to serve as the residence for Knights Hospitaller from the langue of Italy.