The Inquisitor’s Palace is essentially both a historic house museum and the national ethnography museum. On its own merits, however, it may also be considered as a site since the building itself is an integral part of the experience being presented; a power-house of the Holy Roman Inquisition that dominated Malta for over 224 years.

Built in around the 1530s, what today is known as the Inquisitor’s Palace initially housed the Magna Curia Castellania Melitensis, a civil tribunal established by Grand Master Juan de Homedes y Coscon in 1543, until the institution moved to the then-newly built Valletta in 1572.

Two years later, Pietro Dusina arrived in Malta as its first Inquisitor and Apostolic Delegate of Pope Gregory XIII. Grand Master Jean de la Cassière offered him this building and thus it got the name still in use to date. Inquisitors in Malta served in their dual role as supreme judges of the Holy Office and Apostolic Delegates representing the Vatican’s interests in Malta. The Palace is an architectural gem, very well documented and so full of contrasts for it was fashioned to generate awe towards a powerful ecclesiastic diplomat in a sophisticated residence, and inspire reverence and repentance through a a tribunal, inclusive of an austere prison complex.

The Inquisition was abolished by the French upon their arrival in 1798. The building served French and British rules, as well as the Dominican Order for a period of time after the WWII. In recent years Heritage Malta, has strived to strike the right balance between a historic house museum, reflecting the building’s past political importance as one of the three centres of power in early modern Malta and a National Museum of Ethnography, highlighting the impact of the Inquisition on Maltese society and the role of religion in everyday life. It also comprises a wing dedicated to the National Textiles Collection housed within the same building.

The current experience is divided in three distinct sections, the domestic and historic kitchen area at ground floor level is complimented by the piano nobile which includes both official halls and private quarters extending on two floors. The third part of the visitor’s experience are the spaces pertaining to the Holy Office itself including the tribunal chamber, torture chamber and prison complex. The museum experience is complimented with an emphasis on a busy outreach programme of events and educational sessions.

Inquisitor’s Palace

Museum, Palace

Click link below for opening hours:

Inquisitor’s Palace, Vittoriosa, Malta

Adults (18+): €6.00

Youths (12-17): €4.50

Senior Citizens (60+): €4.50

Concessions & Students: €4.50

Children (6-11): €3.00

Infants (1-5): €0.00

Heritage Malta Members: FREE

Heritage Malta Passport Holders: FREE

This site meets the following accessibility requirements:

 

 

 

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Gallery

Virtual Experience

Getting Here

Address

Inquisitor’s Palace,

Main Gate Street, Birgu BRG 1023,

Vittoriosa,

Malta

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Public Transport

The closest bus stop is 3 minutes on foot. Interested in getting here by public transport?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions

Contrary to popular imagination, the Roman Inquisition in Malta inflicted torture in less than 1% of the cases. It was never applied as a punishment for misdeeds, but rather as a last resort to extract truth and save the soul of the accused. Most of the inquisitors were cautious, inflicting torture only after considerate guidance from Rome, and in instances when, despite being warned, the accused refused to co-operate or persisted in lying in the face of evidence. Old, weak, disabled and sick culprits or pregnant women were spared.

The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478, was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in the Spanish kingdoms and ensure the orthodoxy of those who converted from Judaism and Islam. It was under the direct control of the Spanish monarchy. This resorted to harsh torture methods and a wide use of the death penalty. The Roman Inquisition was established in 1542. It was highly centralised with a very efficient top-down authority which focused mostly on opposing the increasingly popular Protestant doctrines. Much more lenient than the Spanish type, its main prerogative was that of controlling popular behaviour methods leading the faithful through the accepted paths of spirituality.

This is a highly subjective question. Some have recounted and written about eerie episodes they came across within this palace, while others, who have worked within the same building on night shifts for years never observed anything frightening.

This is probably one of the many myths which came about to prevent the young from venturing daringly into the palace unattended. However, no documentary or archaeological evidence have so far pointed towards the existence of such a pit.

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