Saint Sofia Palace, Mdina

Saint Sofia Palace is one of Mdina’s most historically and architecturally significant residences. The palace’s ground floor dates from 1233, a date proudly inscribed on the moulding of one of its windows. The upper floor, by contrast, is a much more recent addition, built in the 20th century sometime after 1938. Over the centuries, the palace has served various purposes and was, for a time, rented and used as a school by Roman Catholic nuns.

Today, Saint Sofia Palace is privately owned and is not generally open to the public. However, the property can occasionally be hired for private functions, including dinners, cocktail parties, lectures and other special events.

The original palace consisted of a single-storey structure arranged around a central courtyard. Its main entrance was through an arched passageway known as a siqifah, which led into the courtyard. Over time, this passageway developed into the narrow Saint Sofia Street. The ground-floor façade is relatively simple, with two doorways flanking the former passageway. Look for the distinctive two-tiered palline losanghe cornice, which marks the division between the medieval ground floor and the later upper storey.

The upper floor features four ornate mullioned windows, adding considerably more decoration to the otherwise restrained façade. At roof level, another palline losanghe cornice provides an additional decorative flourish. Several coats of arms can also be seen across the façade, reflecting the palace’s long history and associations with prominent families.

Although its interior is usually inaccessible, Saint Sofia Palace is well worth admiring from the street, particularly for the striking contrast between its medieval ground floor and much later upper storey.