Auberge de France (Inn of France), Birgu
Inn of France was constructed around 1533 to serve as the residence for knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of France. This langue included knights from the entire Kingdom of France, except for Auvergne and Provence, which had their separate langues within the order.
The building initially housed the French langue until a new Auberge de France was established in Valletta, the capital of Malta.
Over the centuries, Inn of France changed ownership and purposes. It passed into private hands and acquired the informal nickname "The Palace of the Millionaire". In the 19th and 20th centuries, the building underwent various uses, serving as a school, a furniture factory, and a museum. Presently, Auberge de France serves as Birgu's city hall and functions as the seat of the local council.
Inn of France is constructed in the Melitan style, which is based on traditional Maltese architecture. It shares a similar layout with Inn of England.
The building is designed as a two-story structure with rooms arranged around a central courtyard, a common architectural layout for auberges of that era. Its fa莽ade is symmetrical and features beautifully molded windows.
The main entrance is ornate, topped by a wrought iron lattice bearing the fleur-de-lys, the symbol of France. Natural light fills the entrance hall and most parts of the building from the backyard. The ground floor is connected to the upper floor by a covered staircase. A carved stone lion, a typical feature in palatial buildings of the time, can be found in the middle landing of the staircase.
The top floor's main hall once served as the assembly hall of the Langue of France, where important meetings and gatherings took place.
Additionally, the building's basement incorporates parts of an earlier structure that previously occupied the same site, adding layers of historical significance to Auberge de France.
The building initially housed the French langue until a new Auberge de France was established in Valletta, the capital of Malta.
Over the centuries, Inn of France changed ownership and purposes. It passed into private hands and acquired the informal nickname "The Palace of the Millionaire". In the 19th and 20th centuries, the building underwent various uses, serving as a school, a furniture factory, and a museum. Presently, Auberge de France serves as Birgu's city hall and functions as the seat of the local council.
Inn of France is constructed in the Melitan style, which is based on traditional Maltese architecture. It shares a similar layout with Inn of England.
The building is designed as a two-story structure with rooms arranged around a central courtyard, a common architectural layout for auberges of that era. Its fa莽ade is symmetrical and features beautifully molded windows.
The main entrance is ornate, topped by a wrought iron lattice bearing the fleur-de-lys, the symbol of France. Natural light fills the entrance hall and most parts of the building from the backyard. The ground floor is connected to the upper floor by a covered staircase. A carved stone lion, a typical feature in palatial buildings of the time, can be found in the middle landing of the staircase.
The top floor's main hall once served as the assembly hall of the Langue of France, where important meetings and gatherings took place.
Additionally, the building's basement incorporates parts of an earlier structure that previously occupied the same site, adding layers of historical significance to Auberge de France.
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Auberge de France (Inn of France) on Map
Sight Name: Auberge de France (Inn of France)
Sight Location: Birgu, Malta (See walking tours in Birgu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Birgu, Malta (See walking tours in Birgu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Birgu, Malta
Create Your Own Walk in Birgu
Creating your own self-guided walk in Birgu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The defensive complex surrounding Birgu, Malta, began to take shape in the early Middle Ages when Fort Saint Angelo was built circa the mid-1200s. The majority of other fortifications here were erected between the 16th and 18th centuries under the auspices of the Order of Saint John.
Remarkably, a significant portion of Birgu's fortifications remains well-preserved to this day and have... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Remarkably, a significant portion of Birgu's fortifications remains well-preserved to this day and have... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Birgu Introduction Walking Tour
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The name "Birgu" traces its roots to the Arabic word "Borgo," meaning a small town. Over... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
The name "Birgu" traces its roots to the Arabic word "Borgo," meaning a small town. Over... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles