Palazzo Ferreria: A Glimpse into Valletta's Past

Palazzo Ferreria, officially Palazzo Buttiġieġ-Francia, stands proudly near the entrance of Valletta, Malta, serving as a captivating landmark with a rich history. Constructed in the late 19th century (completed in 1876 or 1897) , the palace occupies the site of a former foundry of the Order of St. John, where the knights' armaments were once manufactured.The palace was commissioned by Giuseppe Buttigieg and his wife, Giovanna Camilleri, and later served as a dowry for their daughter Teresa, who married Colonel John Louis Francia. For a time, the palace was known as Palazzo Francia. The facade features the coat of arms of both the Buttiegieg and Camilleri families. Designed by architect Giuseppe Bonavia, who also designed the Lija Belvedere Tower and La Borsa , Palazzo Ferreria is an example of Venetian Gothic architecture, incorporating traditional Maltese timber balconies, a design element that later became widespread across the island. Bonavia introduced the colorful timber balconies.Palazzo Ferreria is the second-largest palace in Valletta after the Grandmaster's Palace. The Francia family resided here until 1947. During World War II, Valletta suffered significant damage, and the Labour government, led by Dom Mintoff, rented part of the palace for the Public Works Department to aid in the city's reconstruction. In 1979, the Francia family sold the palace to the government. Today, the lower levels of the palace house several shops, while the upper floors are used as government offices. The palace was restored in 2017.