Restoration of Palazzo Verdelin in Valletta completed, minister announces

Restoration works at Palazzo Verdelin have been completed, Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici announced yesterday.

Palazzo Verdelin is a palazzo overlooking St George’s Square. “It is essential that we preserve our historic buildings,” Minister Bonnici said. “These buildings are an important symbol of Malta’s rich history and we are doing our utmost to succeed in their preservation.”

This restoration has been carried out in order to repair damage to the palazzo’s masonry, as well as its apertures and balconies. The façade needed cleaning and, in addition, some stone from the uppermost part of the façade also needed replacing. The first-floor windows were replaced, along with some parts of the first-floor balcony.

Works had started in September 2017 and were completed by December 2017.

Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista stated that “the restoration of Palazzo Verdelin shows the government’s commitment to the upkeep of a better aesthetic for Valletta, not only in light of the unique event that is Valletta 2018, which starts in a few days, but for the benefit of the residents as well.”

“This work was carried out as a result of great strides taken in restoration efforts in the past two years on palazzos, auberges, and other buildings in Valletta as part of a programme aimed at improving the infrastructure in the city by the Valletta 2018 Foundation,” stated Valletta 2018 chairman Jason Micallef.

The Hostel de Verdelin was built around the 1650s – though some sources claim that it was built in the 1660s. In 1662, the premises had already been handed over to Jacques de Verdelin, a French knight of the Order of St John and the nephew of Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle, who held a number of important positions including Commander of the Artillery, Auditor of Accounts and Grand Commander. The palace is attributed to Italian architect Francesco Buonamici.