More than a wedding venue; a gem for walkers, heritage lovers & cyclists too

Locals may have come across Castello dei Baroni at a wedding. It’s a popular venue for couples tying the knot who fancy a more secluded reception with some great backdrops for those all-important wedding photos. But it’s now attracting different couples – those who walk, cycle and fancy a sightseeing pit stop. On the Friday morning I visited recently, several chance passers-by, tourists on two legs or two wheels, popped in curious to see what this little crenelated Castello had to offer.

For starters, if you’ve built up a sweat pounding up hill to Wardija from Burmarrad on the main road, you’ll be delighted to find refreshment at its garden cafe (with free Wi-Fi!). You can just pause there enjoying the seclusion and country views in this unspoilt part of Malta. But that would be shame as there’s more to it than a snack.

The Castello, as it’s affectionately known, opened its doors in early 2010 as a bijou but interesting heritage attraction. It was built in 1783 as a baronial hunting lodge during the reign of Grandmaster Emanuel de Rohan. Today, Castello Dei Baroni is used as the headquarters for the Knights Hospitalliers of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and the Ecumenical Order (more on that in a bit!). It’s actually owned and run though by Chevalier Baron Adrian Busietta and Dame Marie Angelique Caruana, who’ve gone about renovating it, for those weddings first, and now as a mini-museum and info point on the history of the Order.

In fact, this little castle is devoted to giving a unique insight into the Order. A 23-minute film takes you past where others stop – with the Knights leaving Malta in 1798 – right up to the present day. You then tour various rooms that recreate the atmosphere of the lodge in the 18th century: the ‘Grandmaster’s bedroom’ and ‘Hunting room’ for instance, as well as seeing the ‘Supreme Council Chamber’ and a library containing ancient books on doctrine and law. My son loved the regalia of the Knights in a corridor room which documents the various orders – eight in fact, hence the eight-point Maltese cross.

All in all, it’s a pleasant stop over and worth seeking out whether you’re cycling or walking that way or not. It’s also a good place for group outings with meal (pre-booking required and call to discuss details). However you visit, Dame Marie-Angelique and her daughter Tamara give you a personal welcome.

Visitor Info
Castello dei Baroni opens Monday to Friday: 9am – 2pm (booking only after 14.00)
Entrance: Adults: € 8.50 Children/Senior Citizens:€ 6.00. Discounts for groups.
Tel: (+356) 21 581 100/21 573 483 (+356) 79 497 000
Email: info@castellodeibaroni.com
Website: castellodeibaroni.com
Arrival – you can get to Burmarrad by route bus 580, but will need to walk a couple of kilometers up to the Castello from the junction at Scott’s supermarket.
The Castello offers a pick up and drop off service directly from your home or hotel at less than a taxi.
Location map, click here

Sun, sea and weddings - Malta's growing niche tourism sector

The Maltese islands have been promoted as an ideal wedding and honeymoon location for overseas couples for quite some time. In fact, weddings in Malta seem to have become a defined niche tourism sector. This is not surprising given our own local affinity to the wedding business; island dwellers know just how big an affair some Maltese weddings can be. The Maltese seem to have gathered a lot of expertise when it comes to putting on a show for the big day.

Every village has its ‘wedding hall’ and at some point we locals have all been to villa this or villa that for the larger, more sumptuous weddings running into the hundreds of guests. To flesh out our hunches on why Malta seems to be so popular with overseas couples, we asked Owen of BrideMalta.com to jot down Malta’s credentials when it comes to tying the knot.

1. Culture, heritage and scenery
Malta, Gozo and Comino have that age-old tourism puller of sun and crystal-clear Mediterranean sea. So, couples can enjoy a wedding and honeymoon experience that blends relaxation with the chance to discover cultural, historical and artistic treasures, many of which are unique to the islands. The islands’ cultural heritage seems to lend itself to the wedding business, creating automatically the right romantic atmosphere for the day.

2. Wide range of ceremonial and reception venues
The islands have a vast choice of venue and settings, ranging from private beach weddings against the backdrop of a setting sun to an open-air event right next to a medieval castle or an elegant affair in an 18th century palace or five-star hotel.

3. Wedding transport
There no shortage of luxury options – couples can opt for cars ranging from original Beaufords to the latest BMWs and Mercedes Benz or stylish and comfortable limousines. But then Malta offers more unusual, and often more romantic transport, such as the “karrozzin” (traditional flower-decorated, Maltese horse-drawn carriages), or arrival at waterfront receptions by Maltese “luzzu” fishing boats.

4. Ceremonies & the practicalities
Beauty aside, Malta can be a highly practical choice. Religious and civil ceremonies are available here and legally recognised in Europe and North America. A Malta wedding probably costs less than one in many couples’ home countries, or in other Mediterranean destinations. There is a notable lack of red tape – all couples need do is complete at home some simple paperwork giving proof that they are single and entitled to marry. English is a national language, so no official document or certificate translations are required and of course the ceremony itself can easily be in English.

5. Accommodation
The Maltese islands offer a wide range of accommodation for honeymooners and their wedding guests, varying from hotels and apartments to designer villas and fully-converted farmhouses with pools.

Bridemalta.com is a helpful wedding planning website for Malta and Gozo, offering a comprehensive directory of wedding services and suppliers.