Historic Buildings

Museums

About Grand Master’s Palace (Includes the Armoury & Staterooms)

Newly restored and proudly dominating St George’s Square in the heart of
Valletta, the Grand Master’s Palace invites you to wander along its 450-year
history as a centre of power and the symbol of a nation.


The first building to be constructed by the Knights of St John in the new capital city
and enlarged over the years, the Palace is a state within an edifice.
During theBritish period, it served as the Governor’s Palace and was the seat of Malta’s first
constitutional parliament in 1921. Presently, the Palace is the seat of the Office of the
President of Malta.

Grand Master’s Palace showcases the rediscovered Uccelliera, the Piano Nobile
corridors, and the meticulously restored State Rooms, including the Grand Master’s
Study/Sitting Room, the Throne Room, Tapestry Chamber, Pages’ Room, and the
Ambassadors’ Room.

Among the distinguished collections in the State Rooms, there is the Great Siege of
1565 painted by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio, the only complete and intact set of the
famous 18th century French Gobelins tapestries entitled Les Teintures des Indes,
and the late 18th century Baroque illusionistic ceiling paintings.

Part of the Palace’s restoration entailed the reinstatement of the historic Armoury in
its original hall (the former Parliament Chamber). Showcasing the opulence of the
Order of St John, the Armoury collection is considered as one of the best in the
world, and boasts the armour suits of Grand Masters Alof de Wignacourt and Jean
de Valette, Ottoman armour and weapons, as well as a selection of artillery pieces.

On rare occasions, the Grand Master’s Palace may be closed due to state
functions. Kindly refer to our social media page Heritage Malta | Il-Kalkara for
notifications of closure.

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