Valletta will be the next location for the second Malta Council for Culture and the Arts cultural tour programme. The tour, which will be held on Sunday, 11th December, will take participants into a number of prestigious buildings and areas normally not accessible to the public.

Accompanied by professional guides, participants will have the opportunity to explore Palazzo De La Salle, which was owned in the past by the Grand Master Raymond Perellos Roccafull. The Grand Master acquired the premises from the Treasury in 1713 and then donated it to his nephews with a proviso that the Treasury was to allow the enjoyment of the house and its dependencies to those knights, descendents of the Marquis de Dosaguas and of the Count d’Albatera, who presented themselves in Malta for service with the Order. In 1923, the Palazzo was passed to the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Participants will also be visiting Palazzo Spinola, which dates back to the early years of Valletta’s construction. This was occupied by a number of important persons related to the Order of St. John. It also served as a noble family’s residence for at least 120 years. Towards the end of the 19th century it was owned by the Testaferrata family. The Palace was eventually acquired by Lombard Bank and restored to its former glory.

The Bibliotheca is also on the itinerary – this was designed by Stefan Ittar in 1555 and completed in 1796. Currently, the Library houses the Archives of the Order of St. John. Amongst the earliest documents preserved in these archives is the Papal Bull of 1113 by which Paschall II granted his approval to the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. This frail piece of parchment is one of the primary original documents of European history.

For more information and application forms, visit www.maltaculture.com. Bookings must be made by not later than Wednesday before the tour.