Discover Malta’s Noble Past: Casa Rocca Piccola’s Living Museum

I’ve been to Valletta many times, but I always wanted to check out Casa Rocca Piccola. So I finally went, and it was so worth it. The original 16th-century interior and furniture, and many family artefacts make it fascinating. It was nice to see how Maltese nobility lived over 400 years ago.

In this post, I’ll share key details for your visit. First, I’ll explain why Casa Rocca Piccola is a must-see. Then, I’ll guide you on how to get there and what to expect.

Casa Rocca Piccola has a rich history dating back to 1580. It was built during a time when the Knights of St. John defeated the Turks in 1565. They built Valletta, a prestigious city to rival Paris and Venice.

Admiral Don Pietro la Rocca built Casa Rocca Piccola as one of two houses he owned in Valletta. It was unique, known as “la casa con giardino” (the house with the garden), as gardens were typically not allowed in Valletta homes.

The palace showcases the grandeur of 16th-century noble living. It’s one of the last private, unconverted Valletta palaces still inhabited today.

It underwent changes over time: divided into two houses in the late 18th century, modified in 1918, and an air raid shelter added before World War II.

Casa Rocca Piccola gives a rare look at Maltese nobility’s lifestyle over four centuries. It’s a historical landmark in Valletta due to its preserved architecture and furniture.

If you want to understand Malta’s history well, take a walking tour in Valletta. Look at my guide for the best Valletta walking tours.

Opening times:  Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm
Online ticket: buy here
Location: Google Maps

Let me take you on a tour through Casa Rocca Piccola’s fascinating rooms.

The Chinese Room showcases Maltese silver vinaigrettes from the 18th century. It also features silver buttons, a sponge box, and Asian artefacts like Buddha. A family tree on the wall displays four generations of the house’s lineage.

The Sala Grande Room combines Maltese history and European craftsmanship. It features a 17th-century chest with Maltese crosses, one of Malta’s oldest furniture pieces, and a Bohemian chandelier.

In this room, you can also see a portable 18th-century chapel. When opened, it reveals a fully functioning chapel. The decorated piece served as a practical way to hold baptisms and religious services inside homes.

The Winter Dining Room contains Florentine furniture and 17th-century Maltese landscapes. It’s decorated with allegorical paintings and Pompeian-style designs. It also has family trees showing noble lineages.

The Archives Room holds a large collection of family documents. It includes wills from the 1500s and records of the family’s business.

The Cabinet has family trees showing a proof of royal blood. To be part of St. John’s Knights, you needed to have four generations of noble ancestors. Also, there are two display cases with chess pieces and knick-knacks.

The Four-Poster Bedroom centers around a matrimonial bed from 1867. This bed saw the birth of nine children.

The Green Room has a Venetian glass chandelier and portraits of notable family members.

The Library displays historic ship paintings from the 17th century and portraits of famous writers who visited Malta. You can also see a unique 18th-century Maltese clock with only one handle.

The Blue Room contains unique 18th-century surgical implements in silver and antique Maltese silverware. It offers a view of St. Catherine’s Church and displays modern artworks.

The Summer Dining Room, once an open terrace, now showcases art nouveau style. It’s still used as a dining room for special occasions.

Finally, let’s talk about the Bomb Shelters. These were actually old wells converted during World War II. They’re a pretty sobering reminder of what Malta went through during the war.