After having spent over three centuries in the Grand Master’s Palace, Heritage Malta has announced that the tapestries embellishing the Tapestry Chamber will undergo restoration at the the De Wit Royal Manufacturers in Belgium.

The tapestries were made at the Gobelins Manufactory in Paris in 1708. They were commissioned by the Spanish Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful, intended as a gift to the Order of the Knights of St John on his election as Grand Master.

The tapestries show exotic scenes of flora and fauna, and are the only full surviving set made from the series ‘La Tenture des Indes’ (meaning ‘The Indian Hangings’), which can also be found in the French Royal Palace of Versailles.

Although they have been preserved very well, the process of restoration of the 10 large tapestries, each weighing approximately 40 kilograms, intends to clean, consolidate and conserve the tapestries for the future.

While the tapestries are being restored, Heritage Malta will carry out restoration work on the Tapestry Chamber itself, also known as the Grand Council Chamber of the Palace, preparing it to safely house the newly restored tapestries on their return.

The tapestries are expected to return to Malta by mid-2026, when they will be reinstalled in their refurbished home, ready to continue drawing visitors in with their grandeur.

Have you seen the tapestries in the Grand Master’s Palace?