Inquisitor's Palace, Birgu

Inquisitor's Palace, Birgu (must see)

The Inquisitor's Palace stands as one of the rare surviving palaces of its kind that could be found across Europe and South America during the early modern period. Many of these palaces met their demise either due to the passage of time or as casualties of the anti-reactionary forces unleashed by the French Revolution. Fortunately, the Maltese Inquisitor's Palace has endured throughout its five centuries of history, thanks in part to the high-ranking officials who occupied it and ensured its preservation.

In 1574, Mgr Pietro Dusina arrived in Malta as the first general inquisitor and apostolic delegate of the Maltese Islands. The Grand Master generously provided him with the unused palace as an official residence. Subsequent inquisitors sought to transform the palace into a dignified mansion, sharing common cultural values with the clerical baroque Roman society. By the mid-18th century, they had successfully transformed the building into a quintessential Roman palace, reflecting the architectural and stylistic preferences of the time.

Remarkably, the palace weathered the bombings of the Second World War and the threat of modern development, preserving its historical and architectural significance. Today, it stands as a unique testament to Malta's rich heritage and is the only Inquisitor's Palace open to the public in the world. Visitors can explore its halls and chambers, gaining insight into the chequered history and European legacy of the Maltese islands.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Birgu. 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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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Inquisitor's Palace
Sight Location: Birgu, Malta (See walking tours in Birgu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Birgu Introduction Walking Tour

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.

Birgu Fortifications Walking Tour

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

Birgu Introduction Walking Tour

Birgu, also known as "Victorious City", is an ancient fortified town on the southern shore of the Grand Harbour in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It occupies a prominent piece of land, with Fort Saint Angelo crowning its apex and the town of Cospicua resting at its base.

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

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