Grandmaster's Palace, Valletta

The Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta was the residence and administrative centre of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John and is located in the heart of Malta’s capital. The core building dates to the 16th century and was adapted and refurnished over subsequent centuries.

Visitors see the palace’s formal State Rooms and the Palace Armoury, a substantial historic weapons collection displayed in vaulted chambers. The palace façade and interiors reflect successive alterations from the Baroque and later periods and are a major architectural landmark in Valletta’s compact grid.

The palace was constructed and used by the Knights of St John from Valletta’s foundation in the 16th century and later served civil and governmental roles under subsequent rulers. Over time its interiors and functions changed to accommodate administrative needs and it now houses both state offices and public exhibition spaces.

Situated on Republic Street in Valletta’s historic core, the palace is immediately accessible on foot from the city’s main squares and harbours and forms part of Valletta’s dense urban UNESCO-inscribed streetscape.

• Central location: Positioned in Valletta's city centre on Republic Street near St. George's Square, so most major city walking routes pass the palace.
• Access note: The complex today includes official state functions alongside museum displays, so some parts may be closed to casual visitors when state events occur.

What to See #

• State Rooms: The State Rooms occupy the historic ceremonial suites used by the Knights and later governors; many rooms retain original paneling, balconies and decorative features used for official functions.
• Palace Armoury: The Palace Armoury houses a large historic collection of arms and armour assembled during the rule of the Knights of St John and later periods, displayed in a series of vaulted rooms.