Casa Rocca Piccola

Casa Rocca Piccola is the sort of place that makes history feel personal. It is a 16th-century palace on Republic Street, Valletta's main thoroughfare, and it has been the home of a Maltese noble family for almost 350 years. Rather than a hushed museum, it is a living house, full of wonderful objects and the aristocratic collections of the family who live there, and visitors are welcomed by people who know every room well, and the family still takes an active hand in welcoming visitors.

On VisitMalta.co.uk it is listed under museums in Malta. It pairs well with a wider walk described in our Valletta guide.

The palace and its family

The house is about 400 years old and was built by Don Pietro La Rocca, an admiral and Knight of Malta. It now belongs to the de Piro family. They came to Malta in 1530 with the Order of St John after being expelled from Rhodes, and were granted the title of Baron of Budaq in 1716 and Marquis de Piro in 1742.

Through one family's eyes, the house recounts how Valletta and Malta lived through their great events and dramas. Our Knights of Malta guide gives more background on the order that shaped the city, and our Three Cities guide explores the harbour towns across the water.

What you will see

The tour covers twelve rooms on the Piano Nobile, filled with historical treasures and aristocratic collections. They include the costume and lace collection, looked after by a curator who is an art and dress historian. Beneath the house, you can go down into vast air-raid shelters hewn out of the rock in the Second World War, and there is a garden to enjoy as well.

Guides lead the tours and bring the rooms to life with stories. Private tours are usually hosted by Nicholas and Frances de Piro, who were the first members of the Maltese aristocracy to open their house to the public. Nicholas is also an author of books on Maltese history.

The people who run it

Directors Clement and Caroline de Piro manage the commercial side of the property. Since it began as a visitor attraction, Clement has opened the bomb shelters, the cafe and the accommodation, and has widened the rooms and objects on show. An operations manager and an assistant operations manager look after day-to-day running.

The costume and lace collection is curated by Caroline Tonna, who holds a master's degree in art history with a focus on 19th-century dress and photography and has volunteered at the house since 2011. The guides are known for their stories and enthusiasm, so be ready to ask questions.

Eating and drinking on site

Cafe Effervescence serves in the garden, and an Italian restaurant, Locanda Toscana, occupies the old kitchens of the property. Either makes a good pause after the tour, whether you want coffee, lunch or an evening meal in a heritage setting, and the garden is a calm contrast to busy Republic Street.

If you want to see more of the capital afterwards, our guides to the Upper Barrakka Gardens and St John's Co-Cathedral are both within easy walking distance. Art lovers can also see Art by the Seaside Art Gallery in our directory.

Opening hours and booking

The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, with last admission at 4pm, and is closed on Sundays. It is open on most public holidays, but check its social media first. Tickets can be booked online in advance. Our things to do in Malta page and hotels in Valletta guide help you plan the rest of the trip.

For correspondence, the office works Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm. The family also accepts interns, publishes an access statement for visitors who need details on facilities, and shares news through its blog and social media channels, which are the best places to check for holiday opening. To ask a question, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message on.