Historic Mdina palazzo eyed for luxury hotel conversion

A large historic palazzo in the centre of Mdina could be turned into a five-star hotel if plans submitted to the Planning Authority are approved.

The 17th-century Palazzo Mangion has housed nobility, nuns and RAF pilots throughout its long history.

But now renowned architectural firm AP Valletta, on behalf of palazzo owner Justin Zammit Tabona, has submitted an application to restore the property and change its use from residential to a luxury hotel.

Zammit Tabona is the managing director of the Xara Collection, which includes several Mdina properties, such as the The Xara Palace boutique hotel, Michelin-starred restaurant de Mondion and Xara Lodge on the outskirts of Rabat.

Application PA/05455/25 is for the restoration and rehabilitation of the building, including internal alterations and additions, such as a lift.

The plans have already received approval for a “five-star hotel heritage label” from the Malta Tourism Authority.

The 32-room palazzo on a huge 1,200-square-metre plot was on the market for several years.

Realtor Prime International by Bradley George had said the property offered the “opportunity to own a slice of Malta’s history” and was a “true gem in the city’s rich architectural landscape”.

The timber front door of Palazzo Mangion. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Located on three streets – Triq is-Salib Mqaddes, Triq San Nikola and Triq Santa Sofija – the palazzo has medieval origins.

It includes one of the largest open inner courtyards in Mdina, a main salon that spans the building’s width and its own chapel.

Most of its current structure is owed to Canon Francesco Mangion, 12th Signore di Nigret, who remodelled and expanded the building after acquiring neighbouring properties in the late 17th century.

One of the chambers that Canon Mangion integrated into his residence was the Chapel of Santa Croce, which according to architect Edward Said is “undoubtedly one of the most interesting and finely-preserved pieces of late-gothic architecture in the Maltese Islands.”

The first floor, reached through a grand staircase, includes various large rooms which once served as living quarters. There is also a cluster of rooms abutting the piazzetta and overlying the remissa. Most of the rooms on the first floor are decorated with wall frieze paintings.

The building once served as temporary quarters to three sisters of St Dorothy, who had been exiled from Portugal. During World War II, around 60 RAF pilots and other personnel were billeted at the palazzo.

The MTA said it has no objections to the plans.

Grade 1 scheduling is the highest level of protection for cultural heritage properties. These are buildings, structures or sites that are deemed to be of outstanding historical, architectural, artistic or scientific value.

Any interventions that alter the character, appearance or layout are prohibited.