| Best Valletta Travel Deals | Sponsored Links |
Valletta Malta
Hotel Photos, Info & Virtual Tours Find the Hotel You Want at Expedia Valletta Malta Hotels
Lowest Rates on Malta Hotels. Fast Hotel Reservations, Book Now! Private Valletta Day Trip
Private Malta shore tours to Mdina Valletta Rabat Mosta & the 3 Cities
| Grand Master's Palace tips and photos posted by real travelers and Valletta locals. • 32 Photos
• 24 Reviews
See all Valletta Things To Do |
 | Valletta Grand Master's Palace Reviews | 1 - 10 of 24 |  |
As Malta was the centre for the knights of the crusades the museum's on the island are full of history. Inside the Armoury as in extensive display of weaponry used by the crusading knights and their enemies. The museum gives you an idea of just how crude and brutal these wars must have been. Leave a Comment Directions: Inside the Grand Master's Palace
|
Visiting Valletta?
Read reviews about Valletta Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The palace was built in 1571 and was used by all the Grand Masters. In 1800 it became the official residence of the British governors. The palace is now the Presidential Office and Malta's Parliament house.
State Rooms
Visits start in the Tapestry Chamber, originally the Council Chamber of the Knights. The walls here are hung with stunning Gobelin tapestries which were given to the Order by Grand Master Ramon Perellos in 1710.
Of all the rooms the most magnificent is the Hall of St Michael and St George, also known as the Throne Room, decorated with a cycle of 12 frescos, vividly portraying the 1565 Siege of Malta. The artist was Matteo Perez d'Aleccio, an engraver and painter who had once helped Michelangelo with the Sistine Chapel.
These highly detailed scenes start with the Fall of St Elmo on 23 June 1565 and end with the departure of the Turkish fleet from Malta on 8 September. Opposite the throne there is a charming gallery made from the stern of the great carrack, the Santa Maria, in which the Grand Master de l'Isle-Adam sailed away from the island of Rhodes in 1522, fleeing the forces of Suleiman the Magnificient.
The Hall of the 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.Leading off the Hall of St Michael and St George, the State Dining Room has magnificent 17th-century chandeliers and portraits of British monarchs, from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II.
Opened daily except Thursdays and during Parlament meetings.
If you're visiting Valletta just for a day tour make sure that this Palace will be included together with the St John's co Cathedral. Please click on the pic to see more photos and you can also visit my 'Grandmasters' Palace Travelogue' Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
The Grand Master's Palace dominates Palace Square. It has always been the house of government in Malta, first by the knights, then the British and now the Maltese government. When parliament is not in session you can visit the palace for free, and there is an awful lot to see in there (according to our books). Naturally when we were there, visiting was not allowed :-(
Apparently the interior is magnificent, far removed from it's quite dour exterior.
|
The Sette Guino Monument depicts Maltese peasants clinging to the Maltese flag and commemorates the riots of 7th June 1919 during which British troops shot and killed several of the rioters.
While we were there another tourist (American) asked if we knew what the monument is about. We told her and she replied "wow, so people died..." and walked off. Dunno quite how she meant that remark.
|
This building stands on Palace Square opposite The Grand Master's Palace. It was built by the British "to house the royal arms", whatever that might mean - I presume it is an armoury of sorts. Next door is an appealing looking cafe/bar with plenty of outdoor seating.
|
Visiting Valletta?
Read reviews about Valletta Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The Grand Master's place is a huge building and thus difficult to get a decent shot of. This was the official residence of the Grand Masters of the Knights until 1798 and is now home to Malta's parliament.
We didn't ger to view the state apartments and armoury which can be seen - there was too much else to fit in but it has lovely balconies running along its exterior.
|
The Palace Armoury is one of the world’s greatest arms collections housed in their original buildings, and ranks among the most valuable historic monuments of European culture.
The Knights of St John were a unique brotherhood of resolute warrior monks. From Malta, their island stronghold, they carried out their relentless crusade against the Ottoman Turks.
Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt transferred the Order’s arsenal to the palace in 1604. Apart from being lavishly adorned with impressive arms trophies, it held enough arms to equip thousands of soldiers.
Although only a fraction of its original splendour, the Armoury still contains abundant material of Italian, German, French and Spanish origin from principal arms production centres. Outstanding examples of splendid parade armour by master armourers command pride of place. Also displayed are exotic examples of Turkish armour in the Islamic & Ottoman section. The armoury also constitutes a rare example of a working arsenal surviving in its original building.
Click on pic to see more photos inside the Armoury Museum Leave a Comment Directions: Ground Floor of the Grand Master's Palace.Entry for both museums is from Merchant's street.
|
| | |
On the outside walls of the Grand Master's Palace are various certificates for when it became independent and also the letter from Buckingham Place awarding the people of Malta the George Cross for their bravery during the war.
|
If you enjoy sightseeing, you shouldn't miss out on a tour round The Palace in Valletta to see the heritage left by the Knights.
There are some lovely paintings on the second floor and the whole architecture and 'feel' of the place is worth a look. Leave a Comment Address: The Palace, Republic Street, Valletta
|
The Knights Templar was led by a chosen Master, who had the 'job' for life. He was recognised by the European ruling houses as the ruling sovereign of the island Malta. His palace is today the seat of the Maltese parliament and is beautifully ornate. The palace dates from the second half of the 16th century. There are two entrances, which lead to a large green inner garden. At the back of the Neptune Court a staircase leads to the weapon room. Here weapons and armour from several centuries are on show. From the Prince Alfred Court you go, via a staircase to the Staterooms, with interesting ceiling paintings and fresco's. These show clearly that the Knight Order several important branches - the care of the sick was only one factor. In these rooms you can see the history of the Knight Order which came to Malta via the islands of Cyprus and Rhodes.
Weapon room is open daily although the openings times do change
Staterooms are open Monday to Friday again the openings times do change depending on the season. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
|
|
on July 24, 2005
on November 6, 2006
on July 3, 2003
on February 26, 2005
on August 26, 2002
on August 25, 2002
