Information
Landmark: Selmun PalaceCity: Mellieha
Country: Malta
Continent: Europe
Selmun Palace, Mellieha, Malta, Europe
Overview
Selmun Palace stands in Malta’s north, just outside the quiet village of Mellieħa, its limestone walls catching the late-afternoon sun.This 18th-century gem is one of Malta’s standout landmarks, tied to the Knights of St. John and later passed between private owners over the centuries, its stone walls still holding traces of their stories.Perched in a beautiful spot above Selmun Bay, the palace looks out over the glittering sweep of the Mediterranean Sea.Selmun Palace, with its pale limestone walls, was built in the 18th century as a country retreat for the Knights of St. John.They built it while Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc ruled, between 1775 and 1797, when the stone walls were still fresh with the scent of lime.Built first as a hunting lodge and summer retreat, the palace offered knights a quiet hideaway far from Valletta’s noisy streets.It stood close to the coast, surrounded by salt-scented breezes and unspoiled views.The knights welcomed guests and held lively gatherings in the palace, where candlelight flickered off its grand neoclassical façade, adorned with ornate details echoing the fading elegance of the late Baroque.The palace looms with a grand, symmetrical design-ornate windows catching the sun, balconies and columns carved with fine detail.Its main facade breaks into several sections, each framed by tall windows that pour light into the rooms within.The building wraps around a sunny central courtyard, its main rooms and quiet chambers opening toward the open air.The palace boasts a wide, airy entrance and a sweeping staircase that climbs to the main floor, its steps worn smooth with age.Outside, broad grounds stretch in every direction, once alive with blooming gardens and rows of cultivated fields.The estate served as a retreat, with winding paths, sunlit orchards, and broad terraces that looked out over the rolling hills.Below, Selmun Bay once bustled with fishing boats and served as a hub for seafaring work.After the French drove out the Knights of St. John in 1798, Selmun Palace changed hands more than once.Over time, the building was leased and later sold to a string of private owners, each leaving their mark through renovations and alterations-a new set of shutters here, a fresh coat of paint there.In the 19th century, the Saliba family, one of Malta’s most prominent households, took possession of the palace.They kept changing the structure, adding fresh rooms and bright new decorations that caught the light.For years, the palace stayed in private hands, its heavy wooden gates rarely opened to visitors.In recent times, preservation work has kept it standing, but unlike some of Malta’s grander landmarks, it hasn’t been fully restored or widely opened to the public.Today, Selmun Palace is still privately owned, its gates closed to visitors and no tours offered to the public.Still, its rich history and striking architecture draw visitors exploring the Mellieħa area, and even though it’s privately owned, the palace sits high enough that the grounds open up to sweeping views of the deep blue Mediterranean and the curve of Selmun Bay.From the hills above the bay, the view is breathtaking-a favorite spot for photographers and anyone chasing a perfect sunset.Near Selmun Palace, Selmun Bay draws visitors for its clear waters, sandy shore, and the simple pleasure of wading in the gentle surf.This bay stays calmer than most spots in Malta, its still water broken only by the ripple of a passing boat.The palace sits close to well-loved sights, including Mellieħa Bay, Popeye Village, and the Għadira Nature Reserve.You can wander through rolling countryside, stroll along quiet sandy beaches, and take in sweeping coastal views.In the heart of it all stands Selmun Palace, a key piece of Malta’s history, once tied to the Knights of St. John before becoming a private estate.You can’t tour it on a regular day, but its bold architecture, deep ties to history, and perch above the blue sweep of Selmun Bay make it stand out as a vivid piece of Malta’s cultural heritage.If you’re heading to the island’s north, the palace grounds let you step through centuries of history, then wander under the shade of old olive trees-all in a single trip.
