Information
Landmark: Dragonara PalaceCity: St Julians
Country: Malta
Continent: Europe
Dragonara Palace, St Julians, Malta, Europe
Overview
In St. Julian’s, Malta, the Dragonara Palace stands as a historic landmark, its stone walls weathered by more than a century of sea air.Built in the 19th century, this palace stands as one of the area’s most famous landmarks, admired for its grand architecture, rich history, and gardens that smell faintly of roses in summer.Today, the Dragonara Casino buzzes inside its walls, bringing a sleek, modern edge to the site’s long and storied past.The Dragonara Palace, built in 1870, first served as the private home of Sir Philip Villiers Stuart, a distinguished member of the noble Stuart family, where polished marble floors gleamed in the sunlight.Built in grand Victorian style, the palace began as a summer retreat with sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the blue curve of St. George’s Bay.Its name, “Dragonara,” comes from the dragon-shaped stone carvings etched into the facade-hard to miss and impossible to forget.Over time, it’s changed hands and purposes more than once.In the 1960s, the palace became a casino, and that’s the name it still carries.Its Victorian design blends stately classical lines with unexpected eclectic touches, like carved stone lions perched above the doorway.Along St. Julian’s coastline, the structure rises with ornate facades, carved stone details, and towers that command attention yet feel refined.Its most arresting feature is the grand entrance-a wide arched doorway framed by delicate, weather-worn stonework.Balconies, arched windows, and ornate columns give the building a regal weight, while its perch on a rocky promontory above St. George’s Bay lets the Mediterranean glitter below, drawing the eye and adding to its charm.Broad gardens spill out around the palace, adding to its stately allure.Today, that same Dragonara Palace houses the Dragonara Casino, one of Malta’s oldest and best-known, where the clink of chips still fills the air.The casino draws both locals and tourists with its rows of gaming tables, the bright chime of slot machines, and a mix of other entertainment that keeps the place buzzing.It’s now a major highlight in the area, attracting people who come for the games and the building’s old-world charm.Guests can catch live shows, join special promotions, or attend packed events, all in the lively heart of St. Julian’s.As the historic Dragonara Palace, it stands as a proud piece of Malta’s cultural heritage.Dragonara Palace has shaped both the social life and the architecture of St. Julian’s, a district that’s grown quickly in recent years.Perched on the coast, it draws visitors who pause to watch waves break against the rocks while stepping into a slice of Malta’s history.You’ll find it in one of the island’s busiest tourist spots, near Paceville, the heart of nightlife and entertainment.The building looks out over St. George’s Bay, a stretch of golden sand that’s among the island’s most famous beaches.Around the palace, you’ll find sleek hotels, lively restaurants, and buzzing entertainment spots that draw crowds from morning until well past dark.The palace sits just a short stroll from Portomaso Marina, a lively spot known for waterfront cafés and designer boutiques.Dragonara Palace itself stands out in St. Julian’s, Malta-rich in history, marked by striking architecture, and now home to a bustling casino.With its Victorian architecture, sea views that catch the light at dusk, and lively modern entertainment, it’s a one-of-a-kind place on the Maltese island.Whether you’re drawn by its centuries-old architecture, tempted by the lively casino tables, or pausing to watch sunlight glitter across the bay, Dragonara Palace blends Malta’s past and present in a way you can’t miss.
