Palazzo Dorell

Last updated

Palazzo Dorell
Architecture in Gudja 4.jpg
Front façade of Palazzo Dorell
Malta location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Malta
Former namesBettina Palace, Villa Dorell, Villa Bettina, Palais d'Aurelle
General information
StatusIntact
TypeHunting lodge
Palace
Architectural style Palladian architecture [1]
Location Gudja, Malta
Coordinates 35°51′2.27″N14°30′25.29″E / 35.8506306°N 14.5070250°E / 35.8506306; 14.5070250
Named forPietro Paolo Dorell Falzon
Completed1670
OwnerGino, Baron di San Marco
Technical details
Material Limestone
Floor count2
Xlejli Tower Xlejli Tower at Palazzo Dorell.jpeg
Xlejli Tower

Palazzo Dorell [2] (French: Palais d'Aurel [3] ) also known as Bettina Palace, [4] [lower-alpha 1] is a 17th-century Palladian [1] palace located in Gudja, Malta. [9] [10]

Contents

History

The property was built during the Order of St. John by Count Ignatius Francesco Moscati Falsoni Navarra as a family home and country residence in 1670. [11] [12] The palace was bought in 1760 by Pietro Paolo Falzon d'Aurelle (English: Dorell) Falzon, [13] [1] and is interchangeably named for him and his daughter Marchesa [14] Lady Elisabetta Testaferrata Dorell. [15] [16]

The palace served as the headquarters for the British forces, under General Graham, during the French blockade (1798–1800). [2]

The interior of the building has some of the ceiling covered in frescoes which were painted by Antonio Grech (1758-1819), known as "Naici" (Antonaci). [17]

It was the last building used by the British, with the consent of the owners, before having to leave Malta in 1979 on Freedom Day. [18]

Since the 19th century the place became limitedly open to the public with special permission of the owners, starting from the Patron Lorenzo Galea. [19]

Gardens

The Xlejli Tower and a chapel are located inside the walled private gardens of the property. [20] [3] At the garden one can still find a small cemetery where British armymen who died during the French occupation of Malta are buried. [21] The garden is considerably very large compared to other general houses. It has a French style. [22] [23]

Modern

Today the palace is a private residence and is not open to the public.

The palace is scheduled as a grade 1 scheduled property by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands (NICPMI). [2]

Other Dorell residences

The aristocratic French family d'Aurelle had other notable properties in Malta. The palace should not be confused with Palazzo Bettina [24] [25] [26] in Birgu, nor Casa Dorell in Valletta; [27] which both belonged to the same family once. [28]

Further reading

Notes

  1. Also known asVilla Bettina, [2] Villa Dorell [5] (Villa d'Aurel [6] ), Xlejli Palace [7] and among the nearby community as simply 'The Palace' (Il-Palazz), [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comino</span> Maltese island

Comino is a small island of the Maltese archipelago between the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea, measuring 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) in area. Named after the cumin seed, the island has a permanent population of only two residents and is part of the municipality of Għajnsielem, in southeastern Gozo, from where one priest and one policeman commute. The island is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mdina</span> City and Local council in Northern Region, Malta

Mdina, also known by its Italian-language titles Città Vecchia and Città Notabile, is a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta which served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls, and has a population of just under 300, but it is contiguous with the town of Rabat, which takes its name from the Arabic word for suburb, and has a population of over 11,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gudja</span> Local council in Southern Region, Malta

Gudja is a village in the Southern Region of Malta, with a population of 3,148 as of March 2017. The village is located on high grounds, south of Valletta. It is administered by the Gudja Local Council. A number of schools, clubs, public gardens and recreations places are found around the village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta</span> Archdiocese of the Catholic Church

The Archdiocese of Malta is a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in Malta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Langue (Knights Hospitaller)</span> Administrative division of the Knights Hospitaller

A langue or tongue was an administrative division of the Knights Hospitaller between 1319 and 1798. The term referred to a rough ethno-linguistic division of the geographical distribution of the Order's members and possessions. Each langue was subdivided into Priories or Grand Priories, Bailiwicks and Commanderies. Each langue had an auberge as its headquarters, some of which still survive in Rhodes, Birgu and Valletta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castellania (Valletta)</span> Maltese government building

The Castellania, also known as the Castellania Palace, is a former courthouse and prison in Valletta, Malta that currently houses the country's health ministry. It was built by the Order of St. John between 1757 and 1760, on the site of an earlier courthouse which had been built in 1572.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Districts of Malta</span>

Malta is for non-local government purposes divided into districts as opposed to the local government localities. The three main types of such districts – statistical, electoral at national level, and policing – have no mainstream administrative effect as the local councils form the first-tier – moreover only administrative tier – divisions of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inquisitor's Palace</span> Palace in Birgu, Malta

The Inquisitor's Palace, also known as the Sacred Palace, is a palace in Birgu, Malta. It was the seat of the Maltese Inquisition from 1574 to 1798, under the name Palazzo del Sant'Officio. The building was originally constructed as a courthouse known as the Castellania in the early 16th century, but little remains of the original building due to major alterations and renovations carried out in the subsequent centuries.

This page list topics related to Malta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Falzon (politician)</span> Maltese politician

Michael Falzon is a Member of the Maltese Parliament of the Malta Labour Party (PL). He stood as a candidate for the second and tenth electoral divisions of Malta for the PL. He was elected from both districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Mary's Tower</span> Tower on the island of Comino in Malta

Saint Mary's Tower, also known as the Comino Tower, is a large bastioned watchtower on the island of Comino in Malta. It was built in 1618, the fifth of six Wignacourt towers. The tower was used by the Armed Forces of Malta until 2002, and it is now in the hands of Din l-Art Ħelwa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auberge d'Italie</span> Auberge in Valletta, Malta

The Auberge d'Italie is an auberge in Valletta, Malta. It was built at various stages in the late 16th century to house knights of the Order of Saint John from the langue of Italy, and it originally had a Mannerist design by Girolamo Cassar and several other architects. The building continued to be modified throughout the course of the 17th century, with the last major renovation being carried out in the 1680s during the magistracy of Gregorio Carafa, giving the building a Baroque character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palazzo Costanzo</span> Palace in Mdina, Malta

Palazzo Costanzo is a palace in Mdina, Malta, situated on Villegaignon Street. It was formerly the residence of a noble Sicilian family, having been constructed in 1666 by Tomaso Costanzo. The building was later converted into a restaurant. It also hosts the Medieval Times Show, which provides an insight into local life in the 14th and 15th centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girgenti Palace</span> Palace in Siġġiewi, Malta

Girgenti Palace is a palace near Siġġiewi, Malta. It was built in 1625 as the summer residence of Malta's inquisitor, and is therefore also known as the Inquisitor's Palace. It is now an official residence of the Prime Minister of Malta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malta Environment and Planning Authority</span>

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority was the national agency responsible for the environment and planning in Malta. It was established to regulate the environment and planning on the Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo and other small islets of the Maltese archipelago. MEPA was bound to follow the regulations of the Environment Protection Act (2001) and the Development Planning Act (1992) of the Laws of Malta. The national agency was also responsible for the implementation of Directives, Decisions and Regulations under the EU Environmental Acquis as Malta is a member of the European Union, while considering other recommendations and opinion of the Union. The Authority employed over 420 government workers, from a wide range of educational backgrounds, all within their merit of profession.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palazzo Parisio (Naxxar)</span> Mansion, palace in Naxxar, Malta

Palazzo Parisio, formerly known as Scicluna Palace, Palazzo Scicluna, and officially Palazzo Parisio and Gardens, is a 20th-century palace in Naxxar, Malta. On site was a hunting lodge built in 1733 by Paolo Parisio, and was used as a summer or permanent residence, barracks and a college, before being acquired by the Marquis Scicluna in 1898.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xlejli Tower</span>

Xlejli Tower, also known as Bettina Tower, is a tower in Gudja, Malta. It was probably built as a watchtower since it has views over a large area of land. The age of the tower is not known, and it could date back to the Roman or medieval periods, or possibly a later reconstruction. The tower is now located in the grounds of Palazzo Dorell, and it is closed to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palazzo Falson</span> Residence used as a historic house museum in Mdina, Malta

Palazzo Falson, formerly known as Palazzo Cumbo-Navarra, Casa dei Castelletti, and the Norman House, is a medieval townhouse in Mdina, Malta. It was purposely built as a family residence by the Maltese nobility, and it is named after the Falson family. It is presently open to the public as a house-museum with seventeen rooms of historic domestic belongings and a number of antique collections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hostel de Verdelin</span> Palace in Valletta, Malta

The Hostel de Verdelin, also known as Palazzo Verdelin or the Casa delle Colombe, is a palace in Valletta, Malta. It was built in the mid-17th century for the knight Jean-Jacques de Verdelin, and it is an early example of Baroque architecture in Malta. The palace currently houses a police station and a restaurant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ġonna tal-Kmand</span>

The Ġonna tal-Kmand, formerly known as Ġonna tal-Kutnent and sometimes known as Ball Gardens, are a group of gardens in various localities in Malta, which were built in the early years of the 19th century when the island was a British protectorate. The gardens were commissioned by Civil Commissioner Alexander Ball between 1802 and 1805, and were given to the Luogotenenti in charge of the towns or villages.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Malta - Guide Verdi Europa. Touring Editore. 9 September 2017. ISBN   9788836533176 . Retrieved 9 September 2017 via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Palazzo Dorell" (PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 28 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 Zammit Tabona, Kenneth (2015). "The Age of Elegance". Miranda Publishers.
  4. Gozo Tourism Association, "Dorell Palace and Xlejli Tower Overview in Gudja, Malta", Island of Gozo.
  5. "Splendor of Malta -". Bdlbooks.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  6. "Chapter123". 1 August 2016. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. Evans, John Davies (9 September 1971). The prehistoric antiquities of the Maltese Islands: a survey. Athlone Press. ISBN   9780485110937 . Retrieved 9 September 2017 via Google Books.
  8. Gaul, Simon (2007), "Malta, Gozo and Comino", New Holland Publishers, p. 229-230.
  9. "Palazzo+Dorell,+Vjal+It-Torri,+Gudja,+Malta Map". Maps7.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  10. "Diploma Long Essays - International Institute for Baroque Studies - University of Malta". Um.edu.mt. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  11. Gaul, Simon (9 September 2017). Malta, Gozo and Comino. New Holland Publishers. ISBN   9781860113659 . Retrieved 9 September 2017 via Google Books.
  12. L/RAMC, Col W Bonnici. "The Very Long Hiccup and The Army Medical Services in Malta". Maltaramc.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  13. "Il-Gudja : History". Visitmalta.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  14. "Lord Nelson's romance with Malta - Henri Diacono - Guest Experience Manager - Membership - Azure". Azure.com.mt. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  15. Piro, Nicholas De (20 July 1997). Valletta: A City Built by Gentlemen for Gentlemen. Miranda Publications. ISBN   9789990985009 . Retrieved 20 July 2018 via Google Books.
  16. "Welcome to the Maltese Islands & Discover Cottonera". Discovermalta.org. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  17. "The frescoes at 'Palazzo Paolina'". Timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  18. "The end of an ERA at Palazzo D'Aurel, Gudja". Malta Independent. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2018 via PressReader.
  19. Quintana, J. (20 July 2018). "Guida dell'isola di Malta e sue dipendenze preceduta da un breve cenno d'istoria e corredata da una carta topografica delle medesime". per cura e spese di J: Quintana. Retrieved 20 July 2018 via Google Books.
  20. "Gudja in Malta". My Guide Malta. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  21. Cassar Pullicino, Joseph. "The Order of St. John in Maltese Folk-Memory" Archived 17 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine . Melitensia. p. 157.
  22. “The Palazzo itself is a simple symmetrical building, rather French in feeling, with an open forecourt and low side wings, both unusual features in a Maltese country house. It was built about 1660 and extended and decorated later.....”.
  23. "Country Life". Country Life, Limited. 30 September 1979 via Google Books.
  24. "L'Abbiti" (PDF). Melitensiawth.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  25. "Bettina Palace Guesthouse | Chris Briffa Architects". Archived from the original on 6 January 2020.
  26. "Historic buildings Palazzo Bettina in Birgu". Archived from the original on 6 January 2020.
  27. Luke, Sir Harry (9 September 2017). "Malta: An Account and an Apreciation". Harrap. Retrieved 9 September 2017 via Google Books.
  28. Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Palazzo Bettina". Timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 9 September 2017.