“The seat of power for 400 years. Knights, Napoleon, President. An armoury with 5,000 pieces and tapestries that make your head spin.”
This is not an ordinary palace. It was the seat of power that ruled the Mediterranean for nearly 300 years. Here the Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta planned military campaigns, received kings, and plotted their intrigues. When Napoleon arrived in 1798, he took everything that was not bolted to the floor — it took him just six days.
Today the President of Malta works here, but the spirit of the Knights never really left.
If you think museums are boring, the Armoury will change your mind. It is one of the largest collections of military artefacts in the world.
The State Rooms were where heads of state were received. The Knights needed to prove their power and wealth. They succeeded.
The Palace stands on St. George's Square in the heart of Valletta (where the fountains spray up from the pavement). Entry from €10 (armoury only) to €15 (rooms + armoury). Check the Heritage Malta website to see if the State Rooms are open — sometimes the President is receiving guests.
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