Casa Rocca Piccola, Valletta (must see)
Casa Rocca Piccola is a 16th-century palace in Malta, and home of a noble Maltese family. It is the only privately owned palace open to the public in the city. A visit to Casa Rocca Piccola is a perfect opportunity to admire the lifestyle of a high society Maltese family.
The palace's history goes back over 400 years to an era in which the Knights of Saint John, having successfully fought off the invading Turks in 1565, decided to build a prestigious city to rival other European capitals, such as Paris and Venice. Palaces designed for prestige and aesthetic beauty were erected throughout Valletta, and bastion walls fortified the new 16th-century city.
Casa Rocca Piccola has over fifty rooms, including two libraries, two dining rooms, many drawing rooms, and a chapel. It houses Malta's largest private collection of antique costumes, both formal and informal wear from the 18th to the 20th century, as well as the largest private collection of Maltese lace, which was used in different ways for different occasions, both religious and secular.
The palace is well maintained and strikes a balance between traditional formality and more relaxed family spaces, and the bomb shelter that you can go in is amazing for a little adventure.
Tip:
Conducted tours are on the hour (last tour starts at 4pm) but get there early to beat the crowds.
The palace's history goes back over 400 years to an era in which the Knights of Saint John, having successfully fought off the invading Turks in 1565, decided to build a prestigious city to rival other European capitals, such as Paris and Venice. Palaces designed for prestige and aesthetic beauty were erected throughout Valletta, and bastion walls fortified the new 16th-century city.
Casa Rocca Piccola has over fifty rooms, including two libraries, two dining rooms, many drawing rooms, and a chapel. It houses Malta's largest private collection of antique costumes, both formal and informal wear from the 18th to the 20th century, as well as the largest private collection of Maltese lace, which was used in different ways for different occasions, both religious and secular.
The palace is well maintained and strikes a balance between traditional formality and more relaxed family spaces, and the bomb shelter that you can go in is amazing for a little adventure.
Tip:
Conducted tours are on the hour (last tour starts at 4pm) but get there early to beat the crowds.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valletta. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Casa Rocca Piccola on Map
Sight Name: Casa Rocca Piccola
Sight Location: Valletta, Malta (See walking tours in Valletta)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Valletta, Malta (See walking tours in Valletta)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Valletta, Malta
Create Your Own Walk in Valletta
Creating your own self-guided walk in Valletta 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.
Valletta Architectural Landmarks Tour
Following the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the knights of the Order of St John set about creating a city 鈥榖uilt by gentlemen, for gentlemen鈥�. The end result saw the island's capital become home to an array of elaborate Baroque buildings, some reflecting Mannerist features borrowed from neighboring Italy.
Many of these architectural monuments have proudly withstood the test of time... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Many of these architectural monuments have proudly withstood the test of time... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Valletta Introduction Walking Tour
Malta's capital city, Valletta, occupies the strategic peninsula between the Marsamxett and Grand Harbours. It is Europe's smallest capital city.
Valletta was founded in the 16th century. Many of the original buildings were built by the Knights Hospitaller. The city was named for Jean Parisot de Valette, famous for defending the island from the Ottomans during the Great Seige of Malta... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Valletta was founded in the 16th century. Many of the original buildings were built by the Knights Hospitaller. The city was named for Jean Parisot de Valette, famous for defending the island from the Ottomans during the Great Seige of Malta... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles