A few years ago, the prominent entrance of the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta closed its doors to visitors. Instead, a dedicated team of skilled restorers, conservators, artisans and experts, equipped with a lot of enthusiasm and determination, began frequenting its halls. The ambience of tourists walking through the Palace was replaced by the resonating clinks of the various tools, accompanied by the fervent discussions of conservators and curators amidst the hum resulting from ongoing interventions.

Thus emerged and flourished one of the most ambitious endeavors ever undertaken by Heritage Malta, facilitated by European Union funds, aimed at reopening the doors to visitors and providing them with an unparalleled experience.

This historic Palace traces its roots to the sixteenth century, serving as both the residence and office of the Grand Master. Evolving from a fortified abode, by the beginning of the 17th century, it had transformed into a palace with numerous additions and modifications, including the construction of big rooms, stables, and an armory. It remained the epicenter of power for over four and a half centuries, transitioning through the hands of the Knights, the French, and the English, until the birth of the Maltese nation.

Today, it stands as the official office of the President of the Republic. The armory has been meticulously restored to its original state after nearly 50 years, undergoing extensive work as it had ceased to serve its purpose as the parliamentary meeting place. Additionally, it has been repurposed as a new visitor center, replacing the offices of the Attorney General, while the Curia and the Uccelleria have undergone restoration, along with the State Rooms.

Extensive archival research was conducted to ensure the authentic regeneration of the Palace, a true monument and testament to over 450 years of its unique history. Enhanced with cutting-edge technology, it now stands as a modern museum offering a comprehensive and accessible experience for the multitude who will enter the majestic doors of this gem in the Capital City.

Every restoration project demands an abundance of information sources to ascertain the most optimal intervention. This includes researching into historical archives to comprehend the evolving narrative over the centuries.

Yet, the most profound source of information lies within the walls itself,  bearing witness to the artist's touch and the stones narrating tangible stories of the palace's history. The wooden doors, for instance, replaced periodically and modified over time, had myriad layers of paint applied to them over 450 years. The ever-changing locks, the aging wood, and the alterations to doors or windows — a testament to shifts in fashion or necessity.

Hence, the multidisciplinary team faced the challenge, within the framework of universal restoration principles set by UNESCO, to present all facets and phases of this palace. The goal was to ensure that no fragment of information from the building's history is lost amidst the rubble, allowing us to revel in the treasures concealed within!

Among the initial undertakings within the Palace's regeneration project, a focal point was the meticulous restoration of the curiae on the Piano Nobile.

While many may have encountered visual portrayals and footage of these rooms, capturing the splendor from the era of the Knights, such as the former Ministers of Finance casually strolling down the corridor towards the Chamber of Deputies to deliver the Budget speech or witnessing the President of Malta conferring honors upon esteemed individuals from abroad, the subtle beauty of the frescoes by artist Niccolò Nasoni might not have been immediately apparent. These intricately decorated columns, painted lunettes, and exquisite artistry added an extra layer of grandeur to the already impressive cathedral-like atmosphere.

The restoration process for frescoes, ceilings, lunettes, and art across all Palace spaces was meticulously executed. The use of 3D laser scanning provided a comprehensive map of deterioration for various elements, guiding subsequent removals of the lunettes and frescoes for restoration. Some of the original frescoes, lost to time, were meticulously recreated by Heritage Malta conservators. Others, obscured during the wartime, have been unveiled after more than 80 years. The frescoes are now securely in place, allowing for periodic maintenance when necessary.

Notably, ancient heraldic arms and artifacts from the time of Grand Master Cottoner were uncovered, concealed beneath layers of this room’s wood. Additionally, six new lunettes, hidden for decades, were unveiled, having been covered by a wooden panel during the British era.

However, the most surprising discovery came in the Uccelleria, the hall where Grand Masters once housed exotic birds, later repurposed as the Speaker's Office. Now, after the removal of woodwork and the addition of an elevated floor to recreate the original space, it has returned to its former glory, complete with the original Nasoni frescoes, rediscovered after their removal during World War II. The woodwork has been meticulously restored, transforming the space into a dedicated hall for the Republic of Malta.

A visit to the palace now promises an awe-inspiring experience!

It is noteworthy that the Palace has not only met but exceeded the expectations of its regular visitors, surprising even those most familiar with the project. Every wall, fresco, or piece of art has become a source of new discoveries, shedding light on the history of the Palace like never before.

The Palace is an outstanding structure spanning four centuries, continually evolving, growing, and witnessing changes from the late 17th to the end of the 18th century. This includes closed-off chambers around the Curiae of the Piano Nobile, the construction of the clock tower, the formation of the main facades on St. George's Square, and the transformation of a space into a library and the sacristy for the main church. This project concluded with the arrival of French Republican forces at the end of the 18th century.

During the English period, some alterations and additional constructions took place, including the expansion of the dining room, the conversion of spaces to accommodate government officials, and the addition of windows and door openings in the early 19th century. The latter occurred during the time of Grand Master de Verdalle, with the entrance from the main door of the palace in St. George's Square.

Through this project, areas regained their dignity, such as the zone of Palazzo del Monte, the oldest part of the Palace, the Orangerie, and the Prince Alfred Bath. Following this, the original volumes were re-established, several buildings were restored, and facades, walls, and artworks were brought back to life.

Today, we can truly appreciate this invaluable heritage nestled within the walls of this majestic building, the center of the Capital City, the seat of power for centuries and the cradle of the Maltese nation!

Before the restoration, the Grand Master's Palace was Heritage Malta's most visited site, welcoming around 250,000 visitors each year. Visitors could access the Armory on the ground floor and five rooms on the Piano Nobile. However, now visitors can access more than 85% of the building, including 25 different rooms or spaces, and the experience will be very much improved and enhanced.

Walking through the beautiful corridors of the Palace I could not help myself but imagine ... the first Grand Master using the palace in a new city as his home and office ... the place where he works and rests ...  making decisions that would shape our nation's history ... the pages turning with their works, the gardener cultivating the courtyard, the fragrance of orange blossoms in the garden, the colorful birds heralding the start of a new day in the aviary.

In other words, the beginning of a fantastic journey. A journey that will continue as long as the heart of the Maltese people beats!