Palazzo Parisio - a unique 19th century Palace in the heart of the Mediterranean.It is located in the very heart of the ancient village of Naxxar in the heart of the island of Malta. This great house is exceptional in more sense than one: it is lavish and sumptuous and in it we shall be able to see, not just another palace of the legendary and romanticized Knights of St John, but, quite differently, the ultimate memorial of the ambitions, aspirations and pretentions of a 19th century noble family.
Palazza Parisio was originally built in 1733 by the Portuguese Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena in the ancient village of Naxxar. It is a privately owned Palazzo belonging to the noble family Scicluna. The Palazzo is a cultural and architectural interest unique on the island.The Palazzo first came into the Scicluna family when Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna purchased the property in 1898 and totally refurbished this noble country house into a regal stately home, blending Italian and Maltese art with the best artisans of the time who created this magnificient Palazzo as you see it today.
It has various art treasures. The marble is remarkable, everything is vast, the gilded Ballroom of mirrors, a superb Pompeiian hall and dining room, the finest stucco work and hand decorated walls. It is also a Palazzo of outstanding splendour with two very beautiful baroque walled gardens, including a lovely orangerie - a miniature Versailles!
Landing
Close inspection of the twoimposing wooden doors reveals that the one on the right is not wood at all but is a trompe-l'oeil and is actually carved stone pained to look exactly like the working door alongside it and to create perfect symmetry.
Above is venuti's history of Malta on which emperor Charles Vof Spain is seen presenting the island(in 1530)to the Knights of the order of St.John.Above the door to the right is a painting of St.Paul landing at Malta in AD60
BallroomMirrored walls reflect the brilliance and elegance of the status and the style of the family that created the palazzo.Superb ceiling decorations incorporates the important symbols of the day-art,astronomy,literature,music ,religion,the sea,theater and the arts of war-while busts depicting renowed Maltese archbishops staire down at the gaiety with which the room is imbued.The sheer wealth and variety of design is remarkable and the quality of the gilded plasterwork is unparalleled
Music Room
Music RoomAcknowledging the fact that this was the period when a "gold room" was considered de riguer for an important businessman the furniture here is beautifully gilded with musical motifes in 24 caret gold leave.The conditions of the chairs today is exactly as it would have been when first commisioned.This is also the only room in the palace with walls draped in water silk-all the other walls that look like damask were in fact stencilled to create this impression.
Sala LombardaOver the fireplace is a large canvas by Philip Peter Rose(1657-1706) and above each of the four doors in the room are paintings by Mattia Preti(1613-1699).
The rich and elegant furniture is in the lombard style and the curtains are the original furnishings,perfectly reserved following only minor restoration.
Pompeian Dining Room
The room is adorned by Venuti's delightful paintings of some of the local girls from Naxxar village,including the girl that he married while carrying out his commision.
Grotesques putti and trompe-l'oeil views add dignity to the surroundings.The oil lamps are replicas made in Italy based on originals that were excavated at Pompei while the room was being decorated.
BedroomCentered on the ceiling is another creation of Venuti,this one echoing a Murillo Madonna.Adding a further feminine touch is a freize with small birds and figures,while the bed itself is typical of the victorian era as it merged into the Edwardian beneath the canopy is a charming spectacle that induces calm and pleasant meditation before sleep and equally delights the eye on awakening.On the chase longue is an exceptional example of the fine Maltese bobbin lace.
Gardens
The magnificent walled gardens of Palazzo Parisio rank amongst the finest in Malta – half a mile long and the only privately owned gardens open to the public. Classically baroque in style, they are a charming mixture of Italian symmetry and Mediterranean colour and perfume, with seasonal appeal all year round.
The first garden features four lawns surrounding small stone fountains and bordered by low geometric hedges (Euonymus) with wide structured terraces, oleander, bougainvillea and cascading geraniums
The second garden is structured around an imposing central fountain with formal quadrants of traditional Sicilian pebble mosaics and seasonal border plants. Here one can wander at will on meandering pathways through the orange grove, surrounded by exotic Mediterranean species, amongst mature and unusual tropical trees and shrubs. Of particular note is the impressive collection of exotic hybrid Hibiscus with over 60 different species and colours
When the landscapers first created these gardens, the second gateway led to a raised path about half a mile long, flanked by ancient olive trees – still just visible today – to a belvedere overlooking the coast and St. Paul’s Bay. Creation of the gardens also included a highly complex irrigation system – vital in an island with an average annual rainfall of just 24”. An underground water reservoir was dug measuring half the size of the gardens and was linked to wells in the area.
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