What unites these three homes is not just limestone and legacy, but the families who sustain them with private resources and care.
As a location scout and fixer for photoshoot, I’ve had the privilege of working in some of Malta’s most remarkable settings – but few places rival the soul and spectacle of the island’s great stately homes.
Palazzo Parisio, Villa Bologna, and Domus Zamittello are living legacies that are sustained by private dedication and passion, each telling its own story in every frame.
Palazzo Parisio – a Mediterranean mini-Versailles
In the heart of Naxxar stands Palazzo Parisio, a baroque masterpiece that has dazzled generations with its mirrored salons, marble staircases, and world-famous gardens. Originally a hunting lodge and later transformed into a winter palace by Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna in the late 19th century, the estate remains in the care of the Scicluna family, who have lovingly restored its opulence for contemporary audiences.
As a fixer, I can attest that few locations offer such versatility: the gilded Ballroom of Mirrors, lush Italianate gardens, and intricate frescoed interiors are perpetual favourites for fashion, editorial, and cinematic shoots. What makes Palazzo Parisio truly special is not just its grandeur on camera, but the warmth and generosity of the family and the Parisio staff, who open their home to host weddings and creative professionals from around the world.
Villa Bologna – a private garden of wonders
Just a short drive from the bustle of Valletta, Villa Bologna in Attard offers a different kind of magic. Built in 1745 as a baroque country villa and still lived in by the de Trafford family, this Grade 1 scheduled historic estate blends classical architecture with sprawling gardens, citrus groves, fountains, and secluded vignettes perfect for evocative imagery.
The villa’s gardens – some of the largest and most enchanting in Malta – have been featured in countless shoots. They offer everything from shaded pergolas and sunken ponds to formal lawns and sculptural stonework. The de Trafford family’s commitment to stewardship keeps these spaces alive and vibrant, transforming a private home into a creative treasure for visual storytellers.
Domus Zamittello – uniting heritage and hospitality
In the UNESCO-listed city of Valletta, Domus Zamittello is a testament to adaptive heritage – a meticulously restored 16th-century palazzo reborn as a boutique hotel. With elegant courtyards, period architecture, and refined interior spaces, Domus Zamittello offers photographers an atmospheric setting that speaks to Malta’s rich urban history.
Behind this transformation is a private vision to preserve and celebrate Valletta’s architectural heritage. While Domus Zamittello now welcomes guests from across the world, its palatial spaces remain evocative locations for editorial and commercial shoots that demand both character and sophistication.
Honouring private patrons of place
There are many other homes of heritage which are open to the public and would serve as great locations: among these are Casa Bernard, a 16th century Rabat palazzo which has recently been restored to its pristine splendour, and which started life as a mediaeval watch-tower built on Roman foundations, to become a double-fronted Palazzo in the mid-16th Century; as well as Palazzo Depiro in Mdina, a fantastic venue space that enjoys magnificent views of the northern countryside.
What unites these homes is not just limestone and legacy, but the families who sustain them with private resources and care. They preserve living history – opening doors not only to visitors but to photographers, directors, stylists, and artists seeking spaces that elevate their work.
For creatives, these locations are collaborators in every shot, infusing beauty, and context. And for that, we owe a profound thank you to the stewards of Malta’s stately homes, whose generosity ensures that our visual stories have the most extraordinary stages on which to unfold.
