Valletta - Castellania

On the corner of Merchants and St John's Street, the Castellania originally housed the law courts. It was completed in 1760 during Grand Master Pinto's reign, and includes a florid stone-work and his crescent emblem. The figures either side of the first floor balcony represent Justice and Truth. There is a pillory stone in the apex of the building's corner, for those convicted and sentenced to death after the Priest's Revolt of 1775. Above this is a hook, which was either used to hoist up the bells of St John's or to suspend convicts sentenced to imprisonment in a cage.