Over five thousand people took the opportunity to visit the official residence of the President of Malta yesterday on the first ever open day, which lasted from 9.30am to 6pm.

Many a family were seen taking photos and relaxing in the gardens in front of the palace. The fresh air and blooming flowers were a good excuse for visitors to enjoy their Sunday in the gardens, and the open day at the palace was obviously a bonus.

Admission was against a donation of Lm1.50 in aid of the Community Chest Fund, and visitors had the opportunity to see the various state rooms in the palace. They were given a leaflet containing a brief description of the rooms that were open to the public and a brief history of the palace.

Visitors were first led up a staircase into a number of richly furnished rooms. They were also shown the President’s study, as well as the banqueting hall, the dining room, the sitting room, the Octagonal Hall and the drawing room. The exquisitely decorated 18th century chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Pilar, was also open to the public.

President and Mrs Fenech Adami entertained visitors who walked through the private gardens and a few actually took the opportunity to have their photograph taken with the President. Several artists were also painting scenes of the gardens and their work was being sold in the forecourt – with a percentage being given to the MCCF.

Visitors who spoke to The Malta Independent were very happy with the organisation of the event and were pleased to have had the opportunity to see inside the palace, which is normally closed to the public. One person complained that the admission price was too high and said that the leaflet should also have been printed in Maltese.

The event was organised by the staff of the Office of the President of the Republic as well as MCCF volunteers. The organisers thanked Heritage Malta for their support.