Auberge de Castille

The Auberge de Castille dominates Castille Place (Misraħ Kastilja) at the highest point of Valletta, Malta, and is the grandest of the auberges built for the Knights of the Order of St John. The original building was constructed in the 1570s to designs by Girolamo Cassar as the residence of the Langue of Castile, León and Portugal, and was rebuilt in the 1740s when Grand Master Pinto commissioned a Baroque facade by Andrea Belli. The result is a large, ornate limestone front with carved pilasters, a monumental doorway, sculpted trophies and the bust of Grand Master Pinto above the entrance. A broad flight of steps leads up to the entrance. Since 1972 the auberge has housed the Office of the Prime Minister of Malta and it is not open to visitors, so the visit consists of viewing the facade from the square. The square itself is open and pedestrian-friendly, with the Upper Barrakka Gardens a short walk away and Triq Nofsinhar and Republic Street running nearby. Guards in ceremonial dress may be seen at the entrance on some occasions. A visit usually takes about 15 minutes, enough to walk around the facade, look at the carving and take photographs. Morning light on the golden limestone is favoured by photographers, and early evening gives a warmer tone with fewer people. The building is lit at night, which makes it an attractive stop after dinner. Because the interior is closed, visitors seeking to see inside a Knights' auberge should look at the Auberge de Provence, home of the National Museum of Archaeology, or Auberge d'Italie, home of MUŻA. Security staff may ask visitors not to block the entrance or photograph official personnel.