President's summer residence open for public viewing

Verdala Castle will be open to the public on Sunday, an event organised by the Office of the President of Malta in co-ordination with Heritage Malta.

Visitors will be able to meet President Eddie Fenech Adami and Mrs Fenech Adami. After the tour, visitors will also have time to enjoy the natural environment around the castle.

The activity which is part of a series being held by the Office of the President to make the presidential palaces more accessible to the public, will last between 10 a.m. and noon.

Tickets for this event can be obtained from the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. Adults pay Lm1 each and senior citizens and students pay 50c. Children under the age of 10 enter free of charge.

Booking is on a first-come-first-served basis and the tour will accommodate a maximum of 150 people split into three groups. Tickets can be purchased and collected by not later than Friday.

Further information can be obtained by calling the National Museum of Fine Arts on tel. 2122 5769 or via e-mail at info@heritagemalta.org.

Verdala Castle was built in 1586 by Gerolamo Cassar for Grand Master Verdalle in the then remote area of Boschetto where a valley filled with trees provided an adequate hunting ground for game. The castle was eventually turned into a prison in 1800 when the French surrendered to the British. For several years, Verdala Castle fell into disrepair until Governor Sir William Reid gave it a much needed facelift in 1855.

In 1982, the castle was converted into the official government guest house for visiting heads of state. When the late Paul Xuereb was appointed Acting President he adopted Verdala Castle as his official residence.

The castle is still the official summer residence of the President.