Grand Master’s Palace

About the museum

The Grand Master’s Palace in the heart of Valletta has about 450 years of history. The Knights of St John built it as the first building of the new capital. Under British rule it was the Governor’s Palace and the seat of Malta’s first constitutional parliament in 1921. Today it is the seat of the Office of the President of Malta, and visitors can see over 85 per cent of the building’s footprint.

The State Rooms include the Grand Master’s study or sitting room, the Pages’ Room and the Ambassadors’ Room. Highlights are Matteo Perez d’Aleccio’s paintings of the Great Siege of 1565 and late 18th-century Baroque ceiling paintings with illusionistic effects; the Uccelliera and the corridors of the piano nobile can also be visited. The Throne Room is closed until further notice.

The Armoury is housed in the original hall, the former Parliament Chamber. It is regarded as one of the best collections of its kind in the world and includes the armour of Grand Masters Alof de Wignacourt and Jean de Valette, Ottoman armour and weapons, and artillery pieces.

Highlights

• State Rooms with paintings of the Great Siege of 1565
• Armoury with armour of Grand Masters Wignacourt and de Valette
• Baroque ceiling paintings from the late 18th century
• Heritage Malta’s most visited site

Permanent exhibitions

• State Rooms – Historic rooms of the palace with Great Siege paintings by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio and Baroque ceiling paintings.
• Palace Armoury – Armour, weapons and artillery of the Knights and of the Ottoman period in the former Parliament Chamber.

Operated by

Heritage Malta

Admission & discounts

Heritage Malta members and Heritage Malta Passport holders enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Some areas cannot be fully accessed by visitors with reduced mobility. An access statement is available on the Heritage Malta website.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Gift shop and lockers; indoor and outdoor seating area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.