The Grandmaster’s Palace is definitely one of the more impressive places to visit when you’re in Valletta. It is a Palace, after all. When is the last time you were in a Palace?Built around 500 years ago it was one of the first buildings in Valletta and remains one of the most beautiful, particularly the gold-leaf glittering interior. This building has contained the seat of power in Malta from the first, when it was constructed for the Grandmaster of the Knights of St John, through British rule and right up to today, as it houses the modern parliament (at least until construction of new government buildings are complete). So you can actually wander about the current government’s parliament and sit in the speaker’s chair, although not when government is actually in session – they frown upon that. The president of Malta also has his offices here.
Away from the modern governmental wing of the palace, you can stroll through various ornate halls, decorated with tapestries and frescoes, past suits of armour and paintings of long dead luminaries. You can also get to see a pretty fine collection of armour and weapons which date back to the time of the Knights, and which could still do some pretty gruesome damage today in the wrong hands.
Opening Hours: 10.00 – 16.00 weekdays (except Thurs or when government in session)
09.00 – 17.00 Sat & Sun
Price: €10.00 adults; €7.00 students/OAPl; €5.00 children.
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