Zurrieq’s Palace Armeria was, for the most part, used as an armoury by the Grandmasters of the Knights of St John – hence its name.

Over a century after it served said purpose, it was sold to Saverio Verario Crispo and then passed on to the wealthy Zimmermann Barbaro family.

It was this very family that hosted French military leader Napoleon when he visited the village of Zurrieq.

Fast forward a couple hundred years, when Malta fell under the British Empire, and the Palace Armeria started being used by the British Army – specifically the Hampshire Regiment – and later on by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

After the war, it was passed onto Count Notary Giovanni Carmelo Chappelle Paleologo. As a result of this, the palace is now considered private property and is thus not open to the public.

Have you ever had the lucky chance of visiting?