Grandmaster's Palace
Encyclopedia
The Grandmaster's Palace (officially referred to as The Palace) is located in Valletta
. It currently houses the Office of the President of Malta
and the House of Representatives
, as well as being a heritage site run by Heritage Malta
.
The Palace was one of the first buildings in Valletta, erected in 1571. The original building was the house of Eustachio del Monte, a nephew
of Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette, founder of the city. This house was purchased and Girolamo Cassar was commissioned to design a palace.
Over the years, the Palace was enlarged and developed by successive Grandmasters to serve as their official residence. In the 18th-century, traveller Patrick Brydone
noted that:
During the British period it served as the Governor's Palace. The Council of Government and the Malta Legislative Assembly (precursors to the present day House of Representatives
) met here and it also was the first place to serve as the office of the Prime Minister
.
. There are two entrances in the front and one entrance from Piazza Regina just west of the National Library. The entrance to the state rooms is in the Neptune Courtyard via a spiral staircase. The ceiling of this entrance was painted by Nicolau Nasoni
in 1724.
The Armoury, housing one of the finest collections of weapons of the period of the Knights of Malta, runs the width of the back of the palace. Spears, swords, shields, heavy armour and other weapons, including Dragut's sword, are on display.
The Tapestry Chamber is decorated with Gobelin
tapestries, featuring tropical scenes set in South America, the Caribbean, India and Africa. The tapestries were given to the Order by Grand Master Ramon Perellos in 1710 and, though now nearly three centuries old, are well-preserved.
The Hall of Ambassadors was originally the Grand Master's audience chamber. Known also as the Red Room, this is decorated in crimson with Louis XV furniture and a high frieze recalling episodes from the early history of the Order when it still had bases in Jerusalem, Cyprus and Rhodes.
The State Dining Room has 17th-century chandeliers and portraits of British monarchs, from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II.
which has just been founded Malta and the Ionian Islands. It is currently used for state functions held by the President of Malta
.
The cycle of wall paintings decorating the upper part of the hall are the work Matteo Perez d’Aleccio
and represent salient episodes of the Great Siege of Malta
. The coat-of-arms of Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette on the wall recess behind the minstrels gallery was painted by Giuseppe Cali
.
In 1818, the British transformed this hall by completely covering the walls with neo-classical architectural features designed by Lieutenant-Colonel George Whitmore. These were removed in the early 20th century. The minstrel's gallery is thought to have been relocated to this hall from the palace chapel which was probably its original location. Of particular interest is the original coffered ceiling and the late 18th century-style chandeliers.
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
. It currently houses the Office of the President of Malta
President of Malta
The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of Malta.The President is appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta for a five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
and the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
, as well as being a heritage site run by Heritage Malta
Heritage Malta
Heritage Malta is the Maltese national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage. Created by the Cultural Heritage Act, enacted in 2002, the national agency replaced the former Museums Department....
.
History
Nephew
Nephew is a son of one's sibling or sibling-in-law, and niece is a daughter of one's sibling or a sibling-in-law. Sons and daughters of siblings-in-law are also informally referred to as nephews and nieces respectively, even though there is no blood relation...
of Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette, founder of the city. This house was purchased and Girolamo Cassar was commissioned to design a palace.
Over the years, the Palace was enlarged and developed by successive Grandmasters to serve as their official residence. In the 18th-century, traveller Patrick Brydone
Patrick Brydone
Patrick Brydone FRSE FRS FSA FSA was a Scottish traveller and author who served as Comptroller of the Stamp Office.Brydone was born in Coldingham, Berwickshire, where his father Robert Brydon was a Church of Scotland minister....
noted that:
the Grand Master (who studies conveniency more than magnificence) is more comfortably and commodiously, lodged than any prince in Europe, the King of Sardenia perhaps only excepted.
During the British period it served as the Governor's Palace. The Council of Government and the Malta Legislative Assembly (precursors to the present day House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Malta
The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislature of Malta and a component of the Parliament of Malta.The House is composed of an odd number of members elected for a five year term...
) met here and it also was the first place to serve as the office of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Malta
The Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government of Malta.-Establishment of the office and developments:The office of "Head of Ministry" was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921. The 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked...
.
Structure
The palace is built around two courtyards, one of which is dominated by a statue of NeptuneNeptune (mythology)
Neptune was the god of water and the sea in Roman mythology and religion. He is analogous with, but not identical to, the Greek god Poseidon. In the Greek-influenced tradition, Neptune was the brother of Jupiter and Pluto, each of them presiding over one of the three realms of the universe,...
. There are two entrances in the front and one entrance from Piazza Regina just west of the National Library. The entrance to the state rooms is in the Neptune Courtyard via a spiral staircase. The ceiling of this entrance was painted by Nicolau Nasoni
Nicolau Nasoni
Nicolau Nasoni was an Italian artist and architect but mostly active in Portugal....
in 1724.
The Armoury, housing one of the finest collections of weapons of the period of the Knights of Malta, runs the width of the back of the palace. Spears, swords, shields, heavy armour and other weapons, including Dragut's sword, are on display.
The Tapestry Chamber is decorated with Gobelin
Gobelin
Gobelin was the name of a family of dyers, who in all probability came originally from Reims, and who in the middle of the 15th century established themselves in the Faubourg Saint Marcel, Paris, on the banks of the Bièvre....
tapestries, featuring tropical scenes set in South America, the Caribbean, India and Africa. The tapestries were given to the Order by Grand Master Ramon Perellos in 1710 and, though now nearly three centuries old, are well-preserved.
The Hall of Ambassadors was originally the Grand Master's audience chamber. Known also as the Red Room, this is decorated in crimson with Louis XV furniture and a high frieze recalling episodes from the early history of the Order when it still had bases in Jerusalem, Cyprus and Rhodes.
The State Dining Room has 17th-century chandeliers and portraits of British monarchs, from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Throne Room
The Throne Room, originally known as the Supreme Council Hall (Sala del Maggior Consiglio) was built during the reign of Grandmaster La Cassiere. It was used by successive Grandmasters to host ambassadors and visiting high ranking dignitaries. During the British administration it became known as the Hall of St Michael and St George after the Order of St Michael and St GeorgeOrder of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
which has just been founded Malta and the Ionian Islands. It is currently used for state functions held by the President of Malta
President of Malta
The President of Malta is the constitutional head of state of Malta.The President is appointed by a resolution of the House of Representatives of Malta for a five year term, taking an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution....
.
The cycle of wall paintings decorating the upper part of the hall are the work Matteo Perez d’Aleccio
Matteo Perez d'Aleccio
Matteo Perez d'Aleccio was an Italian painter of devotional, historical and maritime subjects during the Mannerist period. He was also known as Matteo da Lecce or Leccio by virtue of his hometown of Lecce....
and represent salient episodes of the Great Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta (1565)
The Siege of Malta took place in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire invaded the island, then held by the Knights Hospitaller .The Knights, together with between 4-5,000 Maltese men,...
. The coat-of-arms of Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette on the wall recess behind the minstrels gallery was painted by Giuseppe Cali
Giuseppe Calì
Giuseppe Calì was a Maltese painter, born in Valletta of Neapolitan parents and educated at the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Naples under Giuseppe Mancinelli...
.
In 1818, the British transformed this hall by completely covering the walls with neo-classical architectural features designed by Lieutenant-Colonel George Whitmore. These were removed in the early 20th century. The minstrel's gallery is thought to have been relocated to this hall from the palace chapel which was probably its original location. Of particular interest is the original coffered ceiling and the late 18th century-style chandeliers.