One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of the Maltese islands (15)

This palace was originally constructed as a single-storey hunting lodge and was surrounded by a large estate consisting of fields and large gardens. The wings on either side of the main building, as well as the monumental internal and external staircases were added later. These further add to the interest and aesthetic value of the palace.

The palace is surrounded by front, rear and side gardens. The boundary wall of the back garden contains a nymphaeum and fountain.

Adjacent to the nymphaeum is a donkey-powered mill room (sienja tal-miexi) containing most of the original water lifting apparatus and which is still in a good state.

The side garden is leased to third parties for agricultural purposes. A central passageway leads to a belvedere, which offers a scenic view of the gardens and surrounding land. The interior is decorated in the fashion of the 18th century.

The palace was bequeathed to the Maltese government by the Francia family and is now used by the Office of the Prime Minister and together with its gardens, it was recently restored to its former splendour. Mepa scheduled Palazzo Francia as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice no. 492/068 in the Government Gazette dated June 6, 2006.