After years of unprecedented logistical and restoration works, the Grand Master’s Palace – a gem in the heart of Valletta that can be considered the cradle of our nation – is once again welcoming visitors. This after the restoration phase of the interior of this historical and architectural site was inaugurated on Friday evening.
The Armoury has taken back its original place of 1605, in the former Parliament Chamber; the Piano Nobile corridors were restored; as was the Uccelliera, where there was the office of the Speaker; and a visitor centre was completed in the area known as Palazzo del Monte and the Orangere (which was the office of the Attorney General) and the place where in the past there was a small orange garden. Moreover, the courtyards of the palace, as well as the State Halls, were also restored.
In total, the restoration project of the Grand Master’s Palace will be executed through an investment of more than €40 million, financed by the Maltese Government with co-financing of 18 million by the European Union as part of the European Regional Development Fund.
In a speech during the inauguration ceremony, the President of Malta George Vella expressed the hope that this evening’s celebration is another chapter leading to a path of renewing knowledge and sustainability of the Maltese cultural heritage, of which this Palace is such an important part.
President Vella recalled that at the beginning of his Presidency he had to relocate his office, including all the staff, to Sant’Anton Palace. “Looking back, I do not regret the sacrifice that my staff and I had to make because over time I recognised the urgency for the restoration of this jewel that had significant damages,” stated President Vella
Referring to his regular visits to the Grand Master’s Palace during the works, the President thanked and saluted all those whose big or small contribution led to the execution of such a big and complicated project.
For his part, Prime Minister Robert Abela, in a speech during the inauguration ceremony, expressed the Government’s desire for this Palace to be more beautiful so that we can ensure that future generations, like our ancestors and ourselves, can enjoy it as well. He recalled his visit in 2020, when the world was facing a pandemic, and that on that day his message to the Heritage Malta management was one of courage, but also a message about the need for more work and investment so that once we overcome that difficult period, the world will find us ready to not only continue with our lives, but to be at the forefront in various fields.
“For us, culture and the protection of national heritage was not an exception. Instead of reducing investment, we increased it. Instead of slowing down, we increased speed. Today we are here in this transformed gem, a beautiful project that we also delivered. A gem among the many in this capital city that we are so proud of. We are dedicating national funds to such projects as the result of wise economic management. Because the economic results we achieve give us the power so that as a country we have the necessary resources to invest in all areas.”
Prime Minister Robert Abela concluded that the Government is investing to prepare for the future while never neglecting the protection of what makes us who we are. “Because we are proud to be Maltese. Because we are grateful for what our ancestors did, and we must protect it. Because we want to give a strong present and we want future generations to be proud of what they find. Above all, because we want to design a beautiful future.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection Chris Fearne spoke about the role of this prestigious building during the time it hosted the Maltese Parliament, where thousands of laws were passed, shaping the way we live today. “The history of this Palace has taught us that we must protect and take care of the peace and democracy we know and cherish today,” said the Deputy Prime Minister who concluded by expressing his hope that in the future Malta will continue to spur the values of solidarity and democracy in Europe and the Mediterranean.
The Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici explained that before the project started, a lot of work had to be done in order to relocate the various offices in the Palace, including the office of the Attorney General. Up to the start of the project, the Grand Master’s Palace was the most visited site in Heritage Malta’s portfolio, with around 250,000 visitors every year.
“However, with a completely different experience for the visitors than before, we are now looking forward to welcoming more visitors to the Palace in the coming years,” said Minister Bonnici while explaining that this is the most ambitious project ever in the cultural field in the modern history of our country.
The Chairman of Heritage Malta Mario Cutajar explained that the Palace is being presented to the people as a small taste of Heritage Malta’s vision of making its museums and sites a unique experience.
Mr Cutajar, who is also the President of maltabiennale.art, mentioned that the celebration of the restoration of the Grand Master’s Palace will go beyond the shores of our country in exactly two months when the biennale of Malta opens from this very Palace. He explained that for almost three months Malta will be a creativity hub that should give a new dimension to the sites managed by Heritage Malta.
At the end of his speech, he thanked the staff of Heritage Malta for once again doing an outstanding job, the President of Malta for the absolute cooperation throughout his entire Presidency, as well as to the Maltese Government and also the European Union for financing the project. Heritage Malta considers this as an act of trust in the agency’s ability to execute to the highest quality whatever project it undertakes.
In his speech, the CEO of Heritage Malta, Mr Noel Zammit, expressed his great pride and satisfaction, and thanked all the workers involved in the project as well as the highest authorities of the country for their collaboration to make this dream a reality.
Over forty artists, personalities and children took part in the reopening ceremony of the Grand Master’s Palace with works, some of which commissioned, for this evening.
The Palace will be open every day between 09:00 and 17:00. For more information visit: https://heritagemalta.mt/explore/grand-masters-palace/.
