Auberge of Castille

This imposing edifice, the largest and most elegant of the Inns of Residence in Valletta, catered for Knights from Castille and those from the regions of Leon and Portugal. The Auberge dates from 1574, but Grand Master Emanuel Pinto de Fonseca restructured the facade thereby giving this building a touch of majesty.

The facade's impressive features are the three rows of windows with their scroll and shell ornamentation, and the stately doorway surmounted with a bust of Grand Master Pinto, in an array of banners and triumphal motifs. Pinto's coat-of-arms, consisting of five crescents, tops the central window. The Arms of Castille, Leon and Portugal surmount the massive cornice framing the roof of the building.

The Langue of Castille was very important in the Order. Its chief was the Grand Chancellor. The Knights of this Langue were expected to defend the bulwark of St. Barbara, a part of Valletta's fortifications.

The Church of St. James, in nearby Merchants Street, served the religious needs of the resident Knights.

During the British occupation, the Auberge was the military headquarters of the Army. In World War II, the right wing of the building was badly damaged during an air raid.

Nowadays, this beautiful building houses the office of the Prime Minister.

Auberge of Italy

The bust of Grandmaster Carafa adorns the façade and is surrounded by banners and warlike trophies; the Carafa escutcheon surmounts the wide doorway which leads to the vestibule, and hence to a large central courtyard.

Members of the Langue of Italy were responsible for defending the bastion of St. Peter and St. Paul.

The head of the Langue of Italy was the Admiral in Command of the Order's navy.

The Church of St. Catherine of Italy, dating from 1576, is attached to the Auberge.

This Auberge was, for several years before the War, the National Museum of Malta. Later it was used as the Superior Law Courts. During the War, it suffered heavy damage.

At present, the Auberge of Italy houses a number of Government offices, including the Malta Tourist Authority.

Auberge of Aragon
The Auberge of Aragon, dominating the little square near Archbishop Street, has not changed very much since its construction in 1571. It consists of a ground floor and spacious halls surrounding a central courtyard.

The residents of this Inn were knights from the regions of Aragon, Navarre and Catalonia. The head of the Langue was the Grand Conservator i.e. the Chief of Supplies of the Order. The knights of Aragon were entrusted with the defence of St. Andrew's Bastion, that part of the Valletta fortifications near the Upper Barracca Gardens.

For several years between 1921 and 1972 the Auberge of Aragon was the Office of the Prime Minister. Nowadays it houses a Ministry.

The nearby church of Our Lady of the Pilar belonged to this Auberge.

Auberge of Provence
The Auberge of Provence, built in 1575, occupies a long section of Republic Street. Its façade is plain but very attractive with its characteristic quoins and a large columned doorway. The building's graceful interior is notable for the superb hall in the piano nobile.

The Langue of Provence was under the charge of the Grand Commander, who also presided over the Treasury. Provencal knights were entrusted with the defence of St. John's Bastions and the Cavalier Tower, near Hastings Gardens.

The Church of St. Barbara, just across the street from the Auberge, provided for the religious needs of knights of this Langue.

During British rule, the Auberge of Provence housed the British Union Club. Today, the building is the seat of the National Museum of Archaeology