Casa Bernard

What makes it special

From St Paul Street the front is plain, sober stone in the Mannerist style of the 16th century, and it gives little hint of the furnished rooms behind it.

The house began as a medieval watchtower on Roman foundations and became a double-fronted palazzo in the mid-16th century. Traces of Roman arches survive in the cellar, part of which now serves as the family chapel.

Rooms on the tour include the barrel-vaulted hallway, the chapel, the dining room, three drawing rooms, the library and the main bedroom. The furniture, paintings and objets d'art in them were not on public view until a short while ago, and a collection of silver is among the pieces shown.

Visiting

Georges and Josette Magri, the owners, regularly lead the guided tours of the house themselves. Both retired teachers, they now live in the house permanently. Tours run in English, Maltese, Italian and French.

Nothing is roped off. The group moves through the furnished rooms of a lived-in home while the guide explains the significance of each piece. The visit ends outdoors, in the courtyard with its fountain and then the garden.

Tours are held in the morning, Monday to Saturday.

Tips

Visitors report arriving unannounced and being given a full guided tour straight away, in one case by a family friend while the owners were out. Email ahead to fix a time or to ask for a tour in a particular language.

Questions are welcome along the way, and reviewers say every one was answered.