The Knights of Malta spared no expense in building palaces and decorating them. However, when "Palazzo" ("Palace") is mentioned in conversation, everyone knows what they are talking about. It is the name given by the locals to the Palace of the Grand Master, a majestic structure overlooking Valletta's central square. The palace was built in the second half of the 16th century. The famous wooden balconies with a length of 89 metres were erected only in the middle of the 18th century. The palace is currently the seat of the Maltese Parliament. It also houses the office of the President of Malta. Some rooms of the palace are available for viewing. The entrance fee includes a visit to the Armoury, which is housed in the former stables of the palace. The collection of this museum has approximately 6,000 pieces of ancient weapons and armour.
The palace has two courtyards (Neptune's and Prince Alfred's), which can be accessed through a gate in the Place de la Republique. The Neptune courtyard, planted with tall palm trees, is decorated with a fountain with a statue of Neptune. It is said that the sculpture was modelled from Grand Master Vignacourt. In Prince Alfred's courtyard you should pay attention to the tower with an amazing chronometer created by the master Gaetano Vella in 1745. The clock is adorned with figures of bronze Moors who beat with hammers, marking each hour.
Unfortunately, most of the palace's halls are closed to visitors. Visitors can only see two corridors with magnificent mosaics in the form of magisterial coats of arms on the floor and portraits of former owners of the palace on the walls and 5-6 ceremonial rooms. Some of them can only be seen because of the ribbon, others are allowed to enter. The most remarkable is the Hall of Tapestries, which is always in semi-darkness. It contains huge luxurious tapestries woven in France in 1710 and presented to the Order by Master Ramon Perellos. This room was formerly the meeting place for the Knights and later Maltese MPs. One day, an enraged MP threw an inkwell at his opponent and damaged the priceless tapestry. That is why MPs have been forbidden to use pens ever since. Only pencils are allowed.
