Stqarrija bil-Malti Agħfas Hawn / Press Release in Maltese Click Here

Heritage Malta is proud to announce a significant collaboration with the Eden Leisure Foundation, which will fund the restoration of the Grand Master’s carriage, a treasured 18th-century Berline coach housed in the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta.

This restoration forms part of the larger Grand Master’s Palace restoration project – Heritage Malta’s most ambitious conservation effort to date, which encompasses not only architectural restoration but also the preservation of priceless artefacts such as the Grand Master’s carriage, reinforcing the Palace’s role as a national symbol of Maltese identity.

The carriage, a luxury French-manufactured coach from the 1780s adorned with green velvet interiors, holds a unique place in Maltese history. Although used by at least four Grand Masters, the carriage is most closely associated with the last Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Ferdinand von Hompesch. A popular story recounts that the Grand Master had deployed it to transport Napoleon Bonaparte, but the latter refused to use it. 

Originally gilded, the carriage has undergone various modifications over the centuries. Notable amongst these was the addition of four oval images with emblems of the French Revolution, during the island’s brief French occupation. One of these depictions, featuring an allegory of La Republique, holding a staff topped with the Phrygian Cap, was revealed in past interventions. The restoration will address these changes, ensuring the preservation of the layered history of this magnificent artefact, previously exhibited in the Palace Armoury which was originally on the Piano Nobile and then relocated to the ground halls – the former Palace stables.

Noel Zammit, Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed his excitement about the project. “The restoration of the Grand Master’s carriage is a vital part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard Malta’s cultural and historical heritage. With Eden Leisure Foundation’s generous support, we can return this beautiful relic to its former glory and ensure its legacy for future generations.”

Anthony Spagnol, Heritage Malta’s Senior Conservator, described how the conservation of the carriage goes beyond the preservation of its materials, which range from wood and iron to fabric and leather, and also seeks to preserve its layered narrative. He elaborated on how the conservation team takes great care to conserve the carriage’s history and allow the artefact’s journey to be appreciated.

Kate De Cesare, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Eden Leisure Foundation, mentioned that heritage is one of the three main pillars of the Foundation, which was formed very recently to carry forward the Community Social Responsibility intentions of the Eden Leisure Group and to make a lasting commitment to it. She expressed her delight as to how perfectly this project fits in the foundation’s raison d’être and how honoured she and her team are to be part of it.

The Grand Master’s carriage will eventually be displayed as a centrepiece in the newly restored Grand Master’s Palace, inspiring and educating for years to come.

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