Inquisitor's Palace: A Journey Through Malta's Inquisition History

The Inquisitor's Palace, located in Birgu (Vittoriosa), Malta, offers a unique glimpse into the history of the Holy Roman Inquisition on the island. Constructed in the 1530s as the Castellania, a civil law court, the building was offered to the first Inquisitor, Pietro Dusina, in 1574, becoming the Palazzo del Sant'Officio. For over 200 years, it served as the Inquisitor's residence, courthouse, and prison.Throughout the centuries, the palace underwent numerous transformations, reflecting the architectural preferences of its residents. Inquisitors expanded and embellished the building, gradually converting it into a Roman palazzo with Baroque influences. Today, a small courtyard with a Gothic groin vault cloister is all that remains of the original Castellania.After the French occupation in 1798, the palace served various purposes, including a military hospital, a mess hall, and a convent. Since 1966, it has been a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of the inquisitors and the workings of the Inquisition. The Inquisitor's Palace stands as a rare survivor, with most similar buildings destroyed or left to decay. It also houses the National Museum of Ethnography, displaying religious items and artifacts related to Maltese culture.Visitors can explore the Inquisitor's bedroom, kitchen cellar, courtyards, prison yard, tribunal hall, prison cells, and even a torture room. The museum also hosts events and educational sessions.