Palazzo Parisio has shared a nostalgic glimpse into the past with a photo of an elegant horse-drawn carriage that once belonged to the Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna.

The Marquis, a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, was the driving force behind the transformation of Palazzo Parisio. When he acquired the property in 1898, he set out to create his own 'mini-Versailles on the Mediterranean', reimagining its interiors into the ornate tearooms and lush walled gardens known today.

The carriage holds a touching story. In an era when such transportation was a symbol of prestige and luxury, it carried the Marquis across the rough, unpaved roads between Palazzo Correa in Valletta and Palazzo Parisio in Naxxar, while the grand renovation was underway. Tragically, however, the Marquis never fully enjoyed his masterpiece. On February 14th in 1907, after returning from a journey, he fell ill and passed away. Following his death, the Scicluna family chose not to move to Palazzo Parisio, remaining instead at their residence at Villa Dragonara in St. Julian’s.

Today, the beautifully preserved carriage stands proudly in the hallway at Palazzo Parisio—a poignant reminder of the Marquis’s ambition and legacy.

Have you spotted this piece of history during your visit of the palazzo?