Written by Elizabeth Ellul Hawes
A visit to the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu is recommended by Heritage Malta, but what does this experience truly offer?
The sun shines exquisitely and the Inquisitor’s Palace’s exterior walls look glamorous, serene and peaceful, yet bastion like, perhaps to shield its illustrious tenants. So far so good. Then, one notices poke marks on the wall caused by shrapnel during the war. Peacefulness is abruptly changed to eeriness.
One wonders what exactly happened on these premises? Presently, it is being advertised as a tourist attraction. The Inquisitor was the decision-maker when it came to converting those who did not follow certain practices or beliefs. Or those who maybe practiced rituals or other notions outside of what was considered ‘the Vatican’s interest in Malta’.
According to Heritage Malta, the Inquisitor’s Palace represents ‘a power-house of the Holy Roman Inquisition that dominates Malta for over 224 years’. One certainly gets a feeling of abundant events taking place inside this location.
Inside the palace – films, showing enactments of what could have happened on these premises wet your appetite to discover more about this cavernous site.
Artefacts, furniture, costumes and statues are scattered around to depict the past. So one truly goes back in time as one walks and absorbs what is being displayed. In the kitchen, there is an authentic cooking stone, which was used in the past. Amazing how they used to use this stone to create cuisines!
One is subsequently greeted by a majestic set of stairs which leads one to the upper floors. On the ceiling, a beautiful work of art emits a sense of power just by looking at it.
The Inquisitor’s importance can be felt throughout from the litter used to carry the Inquisitor to his luxuriously decorated bedroom.
A sense of power is felt in the upper rooms of this palace. Also present is a chilling feeling together with various questions as to the procedures that took place many moons ago. Stories are shown in books which are hundreds of years old.
The cherry on the cake is when one visits the lower part of this location. Prison cells, a reservoir for humans’ bodily excretions, a room belonging to the prison officer in charge of implementing discipline to those deemed to be converted are all present. The tension is all around and one wonders what exactly happened between these walls.
Commitment and resilience are two ingredients which hit you in the face. Commitment from those in cracking the whip, contrasting with resilience from those being held to come clean over their crimes.
The history found here, together with the gripping rooms, make this location truly worth a visit. Thumbs up to Heritage Malta, who have given this location character and a touch of uniqueness. One enjoys an educational and delightful experience by visiting this grand location. More information on this location can be found at the Heritage Malta’s website.
This article was written by a guest writer whose views are not associated with The Third Eye. The Third Eye strives to be the student’s voice, and that entails giving them a platform to voice their opinions.