Captain's Palace

Captain's Palace is an architectural gem, set along the Cottonera Port Marina in the small peninsular city of Vittoriosa, one of the historic fortified 'Three Cities'.

The Palace, considered by many art historians as one of the finest on the island for its symmetrical features and aesthetic monumentality, was designed by the famous Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà, also from Vittoriosa, who designed St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Its construction was ordered by the Knights of the Order of St John, who had settled on this side of the island in 1530 when they discovered the natural magnificence of the port, ideal for defense during the times of war against the Turks.

During the French occupation, it was taken over by officers of the French fleet, whose vessels were berthed on the waterfront outside this magnificent Palace. In 1818, during British rule, it was taken over by the admiralty. The Commander in Chief later transformed it into an Officer’s Mess.

It remained their base until 1979, despite the fact that part of the palace was destroyed during the Second World War. In 2001 the Captain's Palace became home to the Casinò di Venezia, following an extensive renovation that restored the building to its former splendor after several years of abandon and neglect.