On Sunday, December 11th, Heritage Malta will be giving the public a unique opportunity to enter the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta and visit halls that have never been accessible to the public before.
The Palace has been closed for several months for the implementation of an extensive restoration project. The ongoing project will cost approximately €30 million, of which €10 million is co-financed by the European Union as part of the European Regional Development Fund.
Phases of this project are expected to be finished and opened to the public in the first half of next year, while the entire project should be completed by 2025.
Details on the Open Day were announced at a press conference addressed by the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici and by the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Chris Bonett.
Minister Owen Bonnici remarked that the Open Day will provide the final opportunity for the public to visit the Grand Master’s Palace and see ongoing works before the palace starts once again receiving visitors regularly.
“The public will be able to follow the restoration project in its various phases by visiting halls where works are still being carried out, areas where works are yet to commence, and rooms where restoration has been completed”, Minister Bonnici stated.
“The government is committed to continuing to deliver initiatives that preserve, restore, and rehabilitate our historical patrimony”, Dr Bonnici concluded.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that “through European funds, we are carrying out another restoration project that will continue to enhance the beauty of the Grand Master’s Palace and give it the glory it deserves, and on Sunday, I invite the public to come and visit the works and see what we have accomplished so far”.
Some of the areas that will be accessible to the public for the first time ever include the newly restored State Rooms, the roof (weather permitting), and the halls that serve as the offices of the President.
Tours will start every hour, from 9.30 a.m. onwards. Admissions will close at 4.30 p.m. Admission to the Grand Master’s Palace during the open day will be free of charge, but donations towards the Malta Community Chest Fund will be welcome. Heritage Malta publications will be on sale as well.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister