One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of the Maltese islands (09)

This extensive 16th century palazzo has its main entrance in the narrow Stagno Alley. The palazzo was constructed in 1589 and its façade is very plain while the apertures are surrounded by ornate mouldings. Grotesque heads embellish the lintels supporting the window pediments, each of which is different from the other.

The Palazzo consists of a main building and courtyard, adjacent to which is the main citrus garden occupying what was once a large quarry. A continuous open stone balcony used to surround the courtyard and an elaborate staircase led from this balcony into the main garden. Palazzo Stagno has its own baroque chapel at the upper floor and this is distinguishable by its red cupola from which one has an extensive view of the Island. The roof is reached through a traditional spiral staircase (garigor) having almost a hundred steps. Water lifting apparatus (sienja tal-miexi), still in a relatively good condition, is housed in the annexe to the main building. The annexe also contains the date MDLXXXIX (1589) inscribed in Roman numerals. The north boundary wall of the palazzo is what remains of a very large pigeon loft.

Mepa scheduled Palazzo Stagno and its grounds as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice number 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.