The Alfred Mizzi Foundation supported Heritage Malta in the restoration of one of Malta’s, and perhaps the world’s, most unique historical buildings, the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa.

Thanks to the support of the Alfred Mizzi Foundation, a series of six vaulted rooms pertaining to the original 16th century core have recently been subjected to extensive conservation and upgrading work, including the manual stripping of the paint and plaster layers (including extensive sections of cement rendering), the consolidation and repair of damaged stonework, and repointing with compatible materials.

This project, which forms part of a more extensive visitor experience enhancement programme, entailed the conservation of six vaulted spaces that host the museum’s reception area, an introductory display on the Inquisition and the fabric of the Inquisitor’s Palace, and a dedicated space for hands-on educational events. A unique pre-1939 model of Birgu by Ruzar Calleja has also been conserved and placed on display as part of this project. The newly conserved and refurbished area is illuminated by an energy efficient lighting system and is fully accessible to people with mobility problems. All conservation work was carried out by Heritage Malta staff.

Erected shortly after 1530, the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa is one of the few surviving palaces erected by the Roman Inquisition in Europe and South America during the early modern period. Its gradual enlargement and modification during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, as well as subsequent alterations and mutilations to suit the varying needs of its 19th century tenants sculpted a multi-faceted and labyrinthine architectural gem that mirrors the chequered history and European character of the Maltese Islands. The gothic quadripartite vaulted courtyard and adjoining rooms housed the Magna Curia Castellania, or Civil Law Courts, until the transfer of the administrative centre of the Order to Valletta in 1571. The building was subsequently handed over to the Roman Inquisition following the appointment of Mgr Pietro Dusina as first general inquisitor and apostolic delegate of the islands in 1574. These vaulted spaces are of considerable relevance to the study of Malta’s millennial architectural legacy and shed valuable information on the makeshift transformation of Birgu into a political and commercial hub during the early phase of the Order. As a matter of fact, significant structural remains of the pre Knights’ period incorporated into the extant fabric have been uncovered as part of the conservation project.

The Alfred Mizzi Foundation was set up in 2004. The overall objective of the foundation is the promotion, diffusion and safeguarding of Maltese culture and heritage, education, the environment and social solidarity. Over the years, The Alfred Mizzi Foundation has sponsored a number of restoration projects embarked on by organisations such as Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, Heritage Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa and others. It has also helped philanthropic organisations such as id-Dar tal-Providenza, as well as playing its part to support Malta’s natural heritage, which included financial support to Il-Majjistral Nature and History Park among others.