Valletta - Palace Square

Opposite the Grand Master's Palace is a Classical-style building with Doric columns, the main Guard, which formerly housed the Grand Master's bodyguard and is now occupied by the Libyan and Italian Cultural Centers.

This cultural center includes a library of mainly Italian-language books. It also hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year.

On the northeast side of Palace Square is the 17th century Hostel de Verdelin.

This structure was built in 1662 in the Palace Square. Francesco Buonamici, who established the Baroque style in Malta, designed it. Note the bird motifs on the facade. These were a part of the arms of Grand Commander de Verdelin. Upstairs is a small theater showing a 45-minute archive film composition of the second siege of Malta during World War II. There is also a small static exhibition.