Another glorious building in Valletta is getting some TLC! The Auberge de Baviere’s facades are getting a much-needed facelift and are being restored under the supervision of the Restoration Directorate.

A jump back in time

The auberge was built in 1696 in St Sebastian Street and was known as Palazzo Carneiro for a while. It was home to the Grand Master Marc’Antonio Zondadari in the early 18^th century and, in 1784, was converted by the Knights into an auberge for the Anglo-Bavarian language (hence its current name). It remained so until the French occupation that started in 1798, when it was converted into a military hospital for French soldiers suffering from venereal diseases (STDs in plain and simple English).

During World War I it was used by the British as a military hospital and was made use of again during World War II as a hostel for people whose houses had been bombed - and there were many. The auberge was also used as a school and later occupied by a number of government agencies as time went by.

The building nowadays

Since 1997, the Auberge de Baviere has housed the main offices of the Lands Authority (which was formerly known as the Government Property Department). The palace is located in the northern section of the capital near the fortification that is known as the English Curtain (a long curtain wall near St Elmo Bay). It also boasts incredible views of the Marsamxett Harbour and because of its name, this area in Valletta is known as il-Baviera.

This stunning building is on the Antiquities List of 1925, which also lists the other auberges found in the capital. Auberge de Baviere is a Grade 1 national monument and can also be found on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.

The palace was in dire need of restoration. Thankfully, its cry for help was heard and works began in September 2018. Its austere façade is being restored to its former glory and we bet it will look absolutely smashing once works are concluded!

Restoration Directorate / Facebook