The Planning Authority (PA) in collaboration with the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage (SCH), has granted Palazzo Marnisi the highest level of protection as a Grade 1 property, recognizing its immense historical, architectural and social significance, the PA said in a statement Wednesday
Situated in the Marnisi area above the bay of Marsaxlokk, this expansive estate is a remarkable example of 17th-century Maltese architecture and aristocratic heritage.
Palazzo Marnisi was built in 1650 by Captain Giacomo Testaferrata de Robertis, who inherited the estate through his marriage to the great-granddaughter of Nob. Ugolino Bonnici, the original founder of the estate. The grand residence, complete with a private chapel dedicated to Saint Domenic, is adorned with significant architectural features, including sculpted benches, balustrades, and classical columns that give it a stately presence.
Two prominent coats of arms, those of Testaferrata and Giovanni Francesco Abela, face the courtyard, further emphasizing its historic and social significance due to its link to these two prominent families, the PA said.
The building's austere design and layout reflect the architectural style typical of noble residences of that period, embodying the fortified, introspective approach to construction prevalent in rural Maltese villas at a time when safety was paramount. Its facade, though modest, remains a spectacular example of the era's architectural vision, while the grand staircase leading directly from the courtyard to the Piano Nobile is an iconic feature of its design.
Historically, Palazzo Marnisi is associated with two prominent Maltese figures: Captain Giacomo Testaferrata de Robertis, the Capitano della Verga, and Giovanni Francesco Abela, Chaplain and Vice-Chancellor of the Order of St. John. Abela's work is still referenced today as the first history of the Maltese islands. More recently, the Palazzo served as the official residence of the renowned Maltese professor Edward de Bono, further adding to its illustrious legacy.
The scheduling of Palazzo Marnisi as a Grade 1 property affords the highest level of protection scheduling can provide. It also comes at a time when the Planning Authority is marking 30 years of safeguarding historic structures across the islands, from grand estates like this Palazzo to diverse structures including modern buildings, military fortifications and industrial structures. The Planning Authority's celebration of this milestone reaffirms its ongoing commitment to Malta's architectural legacy and heritage conservation, ensuring these cultural treasures endure for generations to come