Paleisinterieur van mogelijk de Herberg van Castilië in Valletta 1855 - 1875

This stereoscopic image presents the interior of what is possibly the Auberge de Castille in Valletta. The photograph gives us a glimpse into the opulent setting of power in Malta. The Auberge de Castille, built in the late 16th century, served as the headquarters for the Knights of the Order of Saint John, reflecting a blend of military strength and aristocratic refinement. The image displays an interior decorated with paintings, sculptures, and ornate furnishings, signs of wealth and status. The ceiling fresco suggests the importance of history and heritage to the Auberge. The cultural references and the visual codes throughout the room are a powerful statement of the Auberge as the epicentre of power on the island. The photograph is an important historical document, one which can inform our understanding of the institutional structures and social norms of the time. To fully understand such an image, the historian might consult archival records of the Auberge, accounts of life in Valletta, and studies of the Knights of Saint John.