Grand Master's Palace

🇲🇹 L-evoluzzjoni arkitettonika tal-kurituri tal-Piano Nobile ✨🖼️

L-erba’ kurituri ewlenin tal-Piano Nobile mhux dejjem kienu kif jidhru llum. Fil-bidu nett, lejn tmiem is-seklu 16, kienu terrazzini li jdawru bitħa ċentrali. Imbagħad, f’nofs is-seklu 17, inbidlu f’loġġa (passaġġ mgħotti parzjalment).

F’intervent arkitettoniku ieħor fl-ewwel nofs tas-seklu 18, il-partijiet miftuħin tal-loġġa ngħalqu għalkollox u b’hekk inħolqu l-kurituri kif nafuhom illum. L-artist Taljan Nicolo Nasoni mbagħad inġieb Malta biex ipitter il-kurituri u s-soqfa fl-istil trompe l’oeil li wieħed għadu jista’ jara 🖌️

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🇬🇧 The architectural evolution of the Piano Nobile corridors ✨🖼️

The four main corridors of the Piano Nobile did not always look as they do now. Initially conceived in the late 16th century as terraces around a central courtyard, they were altered in the mid-17th century and turned into a loggia (a semi-covered passage).

In a later architectural intervention in the first half of the 18th century, the open parts of the loggia were permanently closed to form the corridors we see today. The Italian artist Nicolo Nasoni was then brought over to decorate the corridors and ceiling in the trompe l’oeil style still visible 🖌️

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🇲🇹 Biċċa inġinerija impekkabbli fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru! 🕰️🏛️

F’waħda mill-btieħi tal-Palazz hemm arloġġ li kkummissjonah il-Gran Mastru Pinto fl-1745 u li hu teżor Barokk ta’ ġmiel kbir. Ħadmu l-arluġġar Malti Gaetano Vella u kull siegħa jieħu l-ħajja permezz ta’ erba’ figuri tal-bronż li jimmarkaw il-ħin b’mod perfett. 🔔⚙️

B’erba’ wċuħ li juru s-siegħa, il-jum, ix-xahar, u l-fażi tal-qamar, dan l-arloġġ straordinarju jlaqqa’ l-arti u l-inġinerija flimkien. Il-proġett tar-restawr tal-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru jinkludi wkoll il-konservazzjoni tal-erba’ figuri u tal-mekkaniżmu tal-arloġġ🔧

Oqgħod attent għalih u ħudlu ritratt meta żżur il-Palazz! 📸👀
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🇬🇧 An impeccable piece of engineering at the Grand Master’s Palace! 🕰️🏛️

Commissioned in 1745 by Grand Master Pinto, the clock in Prince Alfred’s Courtyard is a stunning Baroque treasure. Created by Maltese clockmaker Gaetano Vella, it is brought to life by four bronze jacquemarts that strike the bells every hour with perfect timing. 🔔⚙️

Featuring four faces that display the hour, day, month, and lunar phase, this remarkable clock is where art meets engineering. The ongoing regeneration project at the Grand Master’s Palace also includes the conservation of the jacquemarts and the clock’s mechanism🔧

Look out for it on your next visit and snap a photo! 📸👀
🔗For more information, visit: heritagemalta.mt/explore/grand-masters-palace/

🇲🇹 Segwi l-ħajja ta’ Ġwanni l-Battista fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru! 🎨

Fil-kappella privata tal-Gran Mastru hemm ċiklu ta’ affreski li jirrakkontaw il-ħajja u l-mewt ta’ San Ġwann Battista f’erba’ episodji ewlenin, tnejn fuq kull ħajt. Ix-xeni huma mifrudin minn xulxin b’pannelli f’forma ta’ kolonni rettangolari, imżejnin bħala kandelabri.🖼️

L-affreski tpittru minn Filippo Paladini bejn tmiem is-snin 80 u l-bidu tas-snin 90 tas-seklu 16 u huma fost l-isbaħ eżempji f’Malta tal-aħħar fażi tal-pittura manjerista ta’ Firenze.✨

👉Żur il-Palazz u gawdi din l-arti fil-post oriġinali tagħha!
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🇬🇧 Follow the life of Saint John the Baptist at the Grand Master’s Palace! 🎨

In the Grand Master’s private chapel, a cycle of frescoes narrates the life and death of Saint John the Baptist through four main episodes, two on each wall. Each scene is framed and separated by panels representing pilasters, decorated in the form of candelabra.🖼️

Painted by Filippo Paladini between the late 1580s and early 1590s, these frescoes are among the finest examples of Late Florentine Mannerist painting on the Maltese Islands.✨

👉Visit the Palace and experience these artworks within their original setting!
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Saffi ta’ arti li ssawru matul is-sekli 🎨⏳

Ix-xogħlijiet tal-arti li jsebbħu l-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru jixhdu żminijiet differenti fl-istorja ta’ Malta – mill-influwenza Barokka tal-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann sa xogħlijiet oħra li żdiedu matul il-ħakma sussegwenti tal-Franċiżi u tal-Ingliżi. Kull biċċa xogħol tikkontribwixxi għal narrattiva viżiva msawra minn gosti differenti, mill-poter u mill-identità 🖼️✨

Esplora dawn is-saffi artistiċi meta żżur il-Palazz fil-Belt Valletta 👀🏛️

Layers of art, centuries in the making 🎨⏳

The artworks within the Grand Master’s Palace reflect different periods of Maltese history – from the Baroque influence of the Knights of St John to later additions during French and British rule. Each piece contributes to a visual narrative shaped by changing tastes, power, and identity🖼️✨

Explore these artistic layers at the Palace in Valletta 👀🏛️

🇲🇹 Ballu tal-Karnival fil-Palazz 🎭🏰

Ahmed Faris ax Xidyaq, studjuż mil-Libanu li għex f’Malta bejn l-1835 u l-1849, kien rispettat mill-amministrazzjoni Ingliża u għalhekk mhux l-ewwel darba li ġie mistieden għall-Ballu tal-Karnival li kien isir mill-gvernatur Ingliż fil-Palazz tal-Gvernatur – kif kien magħruf il-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru fi żmien l-Ingliżi. 🎩

Matul il-ballu, mistednin oħra spiss kienu jimbarazzawh billi kien ikun liebes l-ilbies tradizzjonali ta’ pajjiżu u kienu jaħsbuh liebes tal-Karnival. 🎉🕺

🇬🇧 A Carnival Ball at the Palace 🎭🏰

Ahmed Faris ax Xidyaq, a Lebanese scholar who lived in Malta between 1835 and 1849, was on the good books of the British administration and was often invited to attend the Carnival Ball held by the British governor at the Governor’s Palace – as the Grand Master’s Palace became known during British occupation. 🎩

During the soirée, guests often embarrassed him because, being in traditional Lebanese attire, he was often mistaken for a Carnival character. 🎉🕺

🇲🇹 Il-Karnival ta’ żmien l-Ingliżi jieħu bixra ta’ żmien il-Kavallieri 🎭

Fl-1828, l-artist Pietro Paolo Caruana pitter xena minn avveniment li seħħ fil-jum tat-Tlieta, l-aħħar ġurnata tal-Karnival. 🎨

Ix-xena turi battalja finta f’Misraħ San Ġorġ – il-pjazza ta’ quddiem il-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru – li ġiet organizzata mill-militar Ingliż għall-gost tal-uffiċjali. Fil-pittura jidhru rġiel rekbin iż-żwiemel, jissaraw ma’ xulxin waqt li lebsin armaturi tal-Kavallieri mislufin mill-Armerija tal-Palazz 🐎🛡️⚔️

🇬🇧 A throwback to the Knights’period in a British-era Carnival 🎭

In 1828, artist Pietro Paolo Caruana painted a scene from an event that occurred on Tuesday, the last day of Carnival. 🎨

This was a mock battle held in Piazza San Giorgio – the square where the Grand Master’s Palace is located – organised by the British military for the merriment of the officers. The painting depicts horsemen jousting in full Knights’ armour borrowed from the Palace Armoury. 🐎🛡️⚔️

🇲🇹 L-artefatti fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru jirrakkontaw l-istorja ta’ Malta 📖

Armi, għamara, opri tal-arti u oġġetti diplomatiċi użati mill-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann jirriflettu sekli ta’ governanza u skambju kulturali, ippreservati sal-lum bħala parti mill-identità Maltija li dejjem tevolvi ✨

Il-partiġjani ffjuriti li jidhru hawn fuq imorru lura sal-ewwel nofs tas-seklu 18 u kienu jintużaw mill-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann, li kienu jiffurmaw il-klassi tal-uffiċjali li jmexxu r-riġmenti tal-milizzja lokali. Dawn il-partiġjani kienu jintużaw għall-allinjament, bħala għodod ta’ gwida viżiva biex iżommu l-formazzjonijiet dritti, spazjati b’mod uniformi u ordnati – funzjoni kruċjali fil-formazzjonijiet iffullati tal-infanterija tal-perjodu modern bikri. Fil-ġlied sider ma’ sider, setgħu wkoll jintużaw b’mod offensiv bħala tip ta’ lanza🗡️

👉 Żur il-Palazz biex tesperjenza dawn l-artefatti fil-kuntest storiku tagħhom!

🇬🇧 The artefacts of the Grand Master’s Palace tell Malta’s story 📖

Weapons, furnishings, artworks, and diplomatic objects used by the Knights of St John reflect centuries of governance and cultural exchange, preserved today as part of Malta’s evolving identity. ✨

The floriated partisans shown above date to the first half of the 18th century and would have been used by the Knights of St John, who formed the officer class leading local militia regiments. These partisans were used to dress ranks, serving as alignment tools and visual guides to keep formations straight, evenly spaced, and orderly – a crucial function in tightly packed early modern infantry formations. In close combat, they could also be used offensively as a type of spear🗡️

👉 Visit the Palace to experience these artefacts in their historic setting!

🇲🇹 L-artefatti li jirrakkontaw l-istorja ta’ Malta 🏺

Fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru hemm kollezzjoni straordinarja ta’ oġġetti storiċi – minn armaturi u armi sa xogħlijiet tal-arti, għamara, u oġġetti personali li kienu jintużaw mill-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann u mill-ħakkiema ta’ warajhom. Kull artefatt huwa ħolqa tanġibbli għal sekli ta’ tmexxija, sengħa, u skambju kulturali.

Dawn il-pistoli, li jmorru lura sa nofs is-seklu 18, kienu fost l-armi li kien ikollu kull Kavallier u kienu jingħataw lill-Armerija ladarba l-Kavallier imut. Fi żminijiet ta’ kunflitt, il-Kmandant tal-Artillerija – li kien l-uffiċjal responsabbli għall-Armerija – kien jerġa’ jqassam dawn l-armi lit-truppi tal-Ordni. ⚔️

👉 Skopri dawn it-teżori meta żżur il-Palazz

🇬🇧 Artefacts that tell Malta’s story 🏺

The Grand Master’s Palace is home to an extraordinary collection of historic objects – from armour and weaponry to artworks, furnishings, and personal items once used by the Knights of St John and later rulers. Each artefact offers a tangible link to centuries of leadership, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange.

These flintlock pistols, dating to the mid-18th century, once formed part of a Knight’s complement of weapons and were bequeathed to the Armoury upon a Knight’s death. In times of conflict, the Commander of Artillery – the official in charge of the Armoury – would redistribute these weapons to the Order’s troops.⚔️

👉 Discover these treasures during your visit to the Palace.

🇲🇹 Nettunu fil-qalba tal-Palazz 🌊

Wieqfa f’post prominenti fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru, l-istatwa ta’ Nettunu – l-alla Ruman tal-baħar – tirrifletti l-identità marittima ta’ Malta u l-qawwa navali tal-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann⚔️

Kien Alof de Wignacourt, Gran Mastru mill-1601 sal-1622, li kkummissjona l-istatwa biex jiċċelebra sensiela ta’ rebħiet fuq il-baħar. Għall-ewwel, l-istatwa tqiegħdet fuq funtana fl-inħawi tal-Port il-Kbir iżda fi żmien l-Ingliżi, fl-1858, il-Gvernatur Gaspard Le Marchant ordna li tittieħed f’waħda mill-btieħi tal-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru, fejn għadha sal-lum. Il-vaska oriġinali tal-funtana aktar t**d ittieħdet fil-Ġonna tal-Argotti, il-Furjana. ⛲

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🇬🇧 Neptune at the heart of the Palace 🌊🥬

Standing prominently in the courtyard of the Grand Master’s Palace, the statue of Neptune – Roman god of the sea – reflects Malta’s deep maritime identity and the naval power of the Knights of St John⚔️

Commissioned by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt (r. 1601–1622) to celebrate a series of naval victories, the statue was originally located in the Grand Harbour area, positioned atop a fountain. During British rule, in 1858, Governor Gaspard Le Marchant ordered its relocation to the lower courtyard of the Grand Master’s Palace, where it remains today. The original fountain basin was later moved to Argotti Gardens in Floriana.⛲🥬

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🇲🇹 Din l-allegorija tal-Ordni ta’ San Ġwann hija parti mit-tiżjin tas-saqaf fil-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru u tista’ taraha f’wieħed mill-kurituri ewlenin 🎨

Turi żewġ putti jżommu tarka bl-emblema tal-Ordni, filwaqt li putto ieħor iżomm l-istandard tal-Ordni. Ir-raba’ putto qed jgħolli werqa tal-palm – simbolu ta’ rebħ, paċi, prosperità u ħajja eterna.

Il-pittura aktarx saret minn artist li kien isegwi lil Mattia Preti, u tpittret qabel it-tiżjin l-ieħor fuq is-soqfa li għamel l-artist Taljan Nicolò Nasoni. Dan għażel li ma jgħattihiex u, minflok, inkorporaha fl-iskema dekorattiva maħluqa minnu.

Meta żżur il-Palazz, ħares ’il fuq għax hemm ħafna x’tiskopri fis-soqfa! 👀⬆️

🇬🇧 This allegory of the Order of St John forms part of the ceiling decorations at the Grand Master’s Palace and can be seen in one of the main corridors🎨

It depicts two putti holding an escutcheon bearing the Order’s emblem, while another holds the Order’s standard. A fourth putto raises a palm frond – a symbol of triumph, peace, prosperity, and eternal life.

The painting was likely executed by a follower of Mattia Preti and predates the surrounding ceiling decorations painted by the Italian artist Nicolò Nasoni. Rather than painting over it, Nasoni chose to incorporate this earlier work into his decorative scheme.

Look up during your visit and discover the stories above! 👀⬆️

🇲🇹 Ir-restawr tal-Palazz tal-Gran Mastru jmur ferm lil hinn mix-xogħlijiet strutturali – jagħti l-ħajja mill-ġdid lill-istorja permezz tad-dettall. ✨🏛️

Fis-swali tal-Palazz, ix-xogħol ta’ konservazzjoni kixef pitturi oriġinali mas-soqfa, skemi dekorattivi, uċuħ tal-ġebel, u rfinaturi arkitettoniċi li jixhdu s-sengħa ta’ żmienhom. Dawn id-dettalji sottili jistiednu lill-viżitatur jimxi b’pass kajman, josserva mill-qrib, u japprezza x-xogħol li sar biex jiġi ppreservat il-patrimonju Malti. 🎨

Żur il-Palazz biex tiskopri l-ġmiel fid-dettalji! 🖼️
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🇬🇧 Restoration at the Grand Master’s Palace goes far beyond structural work – it brings history back to life through detail.✨🏛️

Across the Palace’s halls, conservation efforts have revealed original painted ceilings, decorative schemes, stone surfaces, and architectural finishes that speak of the craftsmanship of their time. These subtle details invite visitors to slow down, observe closely, and appreciate the care taken to preserve Malta’s heritage. 🎨

Visit the Palace and discover the beauty that lies in the details! 🖼️
🔗Learn more by visiting: heritagemalta.mt/explore/grand-masters-palace/