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.