Information
Landmark: Palazzo FalsonCity: Mdina
Country: Malta
Continent: Europe
Palazzo Falson, Mdina, Malta, Europe
Overview
Palazzo Falson, a centuries-old palace, stands in the heart of Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital, where narrow stone streets echo with footsteps.It stands as one of the city’s finest pieces of medieval architecture, giving visitors a rare window into the lavish halls and quiet courtyards that once defined Maltese noble life under the Knights of St. John.The palace now serves as a museum, filled with gleaming oil paintings, carved wooden chairs, and centuries-old artifacts.Take a closer look at Palazzo Falson, named for Owen Falson, a Maltese nobleman from the 1400s who’s thought to have built its thick limestone walls in the first place.No one knows the exact date the palace was built, though most believe it rose sometime in the 13th or early 14th century, its limestone walls weathered by centuries of sun.It later housed several prominent Maltese noble families, among them the Falsons, whose name it still bears.Over the centuries, the palace changed owners many times and saw more than one round of renovations, from fresh limestone walls to carved wooden doors.Owen Falson, a Maltese nobleman, is widely remembered for turning it into a cherished family home.The Falson family didn’t own it for all of its history, and over the years the palace has seen a colorful mix of owners and guests.Palazzo Falson rises three stories around a sunlit central courtyard, a hallmark of Maltese noble homes.Palazzo Falson combines medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, each layer telling the story of centuries of building and rebuilding.Its layout follows the classic Maltese house design-spacious rooms gathered around a sunlit central courtyard, with high vaulted ceilings that lift the eye.Weathered stone facades, rough to the touch, give it the unmistakable character of medieval architecture.Built from local limestone, the structure glows a warm golden against Mdina’s lush greenery and winding, narrow streets.Today, Palazzo Falson welcomes visitors as a museum, its rooms packed with antiques, paintings, and centuries-old relics.Step inside and you’ll glimpse the lavish world of Malta’s nobility-the glitter of gilt frames, the sweep of silk gowns-alongside the island’s rich artistic and cultural past.Among the collection’s treasures, the palace displays fine art-priceless paintings that capture battle scenes, stern-faced nobles, and solemn saints in strokes of deep crimson and gold.Several works in the collection date back to the Renaissance and Baroque eras, mirroring the shifting tastes of its aristocratic owners over the centuries.One standout is an 18th-century portrait of Sir Thomas Falson, shown in full regalia with a gleam of gold thread on his coat.The Palazzo also holds an impressive array of 17th- and 18th-century furniture, including finely crafted pieces by celebrated European makers.The items are in remarkable condition, from intricately carved panels and gilded flourishes to richly ornate designs.In many rooms, you’ll find fine wood furniture, its surfaces inlaid with delicate patterns or trimmed with gleaming brass or silver.Beyond the art and furnishings, the palace holds medieval coins, ceramics, and military relics that trace Malta’s past, along with a library of rare books and manuscripts once kept by the family-priceless to scholars.Its 17th- and 18th-century tapestries burst with vivid scenes of classical myth and Maltese history, while the silverware, once set out for aristocratic banquets, still catches the light.Palazzo Falson also showcases arms and armor dating back to the era of the Knights of St. John.You’ll find swords, helmets, and ornate shield designs here, each hinting at Malta’s long military past.Step onto the rooftop terrace and the city of Mdina stretches out below, its golden stone glowing in the sun.From the rooftop, visitors can take in the sweep of the medieval city and the fields beyond, with church bells echoing faintly through the air.The terrace offers a quiet spot to pause and admire Mdina’s intricate streets and graceful stone facades.In the early 20th century, the Falson family sold the palace, which then passed through several hands.Over the years, the palace slowly crumbled-dust gathered in corners and paint peeled from its walls.In 1991, a private foundation stepped in, restoring both its grandeur and the art collection it sheltered.By 2007, it reopened as a museum, a striking reminder of the island’s aristocratic past.Today, Palazzo Falson draws visitors into an intimate world of history, art, and architecture.At Palazzo Falson, you can wander through grand rooms once home to Malta’s nobility, run your hand along cool stone walls, and discover their lavish way of life through interactive exhibits that bring the palace’s history and its resident families to life.Join a guided tour or explore at your own pace-clear, informative signs in English and other languages help you along the way.All year, the palace buzzes with cultural and educational events, from art exhibitions and lectures to hands-on workshops, and it can even host weddings or banquets beneath its ornate ceilings.When you step outside, Mdina’s winding streets invite you to explore medieval and Baroque architecture, quiet churches, and local museums; just minutes away, St. Paul’s Cathedral dazzles with its Baroque façade, while the Mdina Dungeons reveal the island’s darker medieval past.In every detail, the museum offers a vivid window into Malta’s aristocratic heritage, with a remarkable collection of art, antiques, fine furniture, and rare artifacts.Steeped in history, the building boasts ornate Baroque interiors and a grand facade that catches the light like gold at sunset.
