There are a few buildings that really capture my imagination in Valletta. Among them, there’s Teatru Manoel (our gorgeous and very-active Baroque theatre), the Bibliotheca (our national library) and Palazzo de la Salle (an art gallery and music hall). For obvious reasons, I am a regular visitor to all of them, and often stop by just to enjoy the spaces and take in the atmosphere.

However, there is also one other building in Valletta that really intrigues me – except I can’t just pop into this one whenever I fancy it because, sadly, I’m not a member. That building is Casino Maltese, and it is located on Republic Street, just before St George’s Square and next door to the famous and historic Caffe Cordina.

Now, though, I’ve got an ‘in’ – ahead of author Michael Collins' upcoming lunchtime talk, which will be held there to raise funds for the Save Valletta Skyline appeal.

To mark the occasion, I am invited to take a look around and to explore this beautiful building, which was the original site of the Treasury of the Knights of Malta and appears in maps of Valletta as far back as 1602. The building was subsequently used by the British government as the Chief Secretary's Office, the office of the Collector of Land Revenue, the Government Treasury and the British Packet Office, so it’s been busy. Then, as Secretary to Sir Alexander Ball for a couple of years, Samuel Taylor Coleridge used an office on the building's upper floor, which no longer exists. It’s quite an exciting history!

Today, though, the building is known as the Casino Maltese – one of the few exclusive members’ clubs anywhere on the island. Its main aim is to provide entertainment for its members, who include all sorts of interesting characters, from individuals within the arts community to top business people and politicians.

I learn all sorts of fascinating facts as I take a look around. For instance, during World War II, some members of staff here tragically lost their lives in an air raid on 15th February 1942. But, despite sustaining extensive war damage, the Club remained open and the word Resurgam (I will rise again) was displayed on a board amid the ruins.

Extensive work followed in the years to come to restore the building to its former glory and, in some spots, make it even more glamorous. So glamorous that it has welcomed many top visitors over the decades, including HRH Edward Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII, then Duke of Windsor), Crown Prince (later Emperor) Hirohito, HRH Prince Edward and the Duchess of Wessex, and HRH The Prince Philip.

And now it’s your turn! You too will be able to ascend the Grand Staircase and dine in the Princess Room – where Malta-based author Michael Collins will be giving a short after-lunch talk about his book, St George and the Dragons. It’s the sort of history-buff’s dream opportunity that won’t come along very often – and, with a delicious lunch-with-wine for just €25 and an introduction by Karen Steed (author of Malta: The Beautiful Hour), it promises to be a very entertaining event – presented right in the heart of one of Valletta’s most exclusive buildings.

The Lunchtime Talk by Author Michael Collins at Casino Maltese will be held on 27th November at 12.30pm. Tickets to this exclusive event, priced at just €25 per person including wine, are extremely limited, so early booking is recommended via email to [email protected].