Malta's Palace of the Countess: Estate of the Day

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed)
May 5th 2010 at 1:01PM

While MTV may claim cultural ownership of Malta with its "Isle of MTV" festival staged there each July, the island that lies just south of Sicily has roots that run way deeper than Hollywood's recent interest. With some 7,000 years of history under its Mediterranean belt, Malta's megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso's Cave make the island positively mythic.

Reflecting that old world charm is the Il-Palazz tal-Kontessa (the palace of the countess), and a palace it is -- sans the garish and overly ornate Baroque and Rococo influences generally associated with palaces. Located in Rabat, Malta, the 19-room restored mansion has almost 11,000 square feet of living space and is on the market for 5 million Euros, or approximately $6.6 million U.S.

This palazzo lacks no modern amenity and includes domestic office spaces, private guest accommodations, servant quarters and large public areas for entertaining. The mansion has an imposing entry way, a central courtyard, two lateral office spaces each with private entry, a kitchen designed by Antonio Citterio, five bedrooms with private bathrooms, a gym, Hammam, library and wine cellar.

One of the more unusual features is the transparent glass flooring on the second floor. This roofed courtyard serves as an art gallery and has also been used by the owner-designer as a dance floor, accommodating up to 60 people. Should anyone suffer from vertigo, says the property representative Peter Rabitz, a faux turf carpet is stashed away and ready for use should the need arise to hide the glass flooring. The home is filled with natural light, diffused by the UV-filtering skylights. A green mosaic swimming pool accentuates the lush green gardens. The home has an elevator, a sauna, wine cellar, meditation room, and outdoor dining area.

Malta has recently been discovered by Hollywood -- both the industry and its A-listers. Bruce Willis vacationed here after shooting "Die Hard," drawing the world's eyes to the island. In 2004, Brad Pitt filmed his blockbuster "Troy" here. "A Different Loyalty," starring Sharon Stone was shot here the same year. Parts of "Gladiator" with Russell Crowe was filmed in Malta and Madonna shot her 2002 film, "Swept Away," here as well. Oscar-winning director Alejandro Amenabar filmed the ancient Egyptian epic, "Agora," on Malta.

Gallery: Malta's Palace of the Countess

Tags: malta, palace of the countess, palazzo, unusual homes

Filed under: Estates

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mikki May 5th 2010 2:39PM

Such a shame to take the inside of a lovely old home and put in so much modern, bright colors, and I don't care for all the yards and yards of excess material in the draperies. It takes away the old world charm.

jnchez May 5th 2010 2:39PM

The photographer went crazy with Photoshop's HDR feature, didn't he?

Where are the pictures of the view FROM the house? It looks like the place is enclosed inside the old fortress' walls. That back yard is ridiculously tiny for such a big place.

Rich May 5th 2010 6:37PM

Hokay...the perv in me immediately wonders how many, uh, gentlemen are parking themselves on the lower floor and casually glancing up to admire the, uh, "ceiling" as begowned guests gather above.....

Beyond that, yuck. Gimmicky and garish.

JMO.

Now, back to the pervcave, Robin.

stalban9 May 5th 2010 6:28PM

I love it. If you aren't being 100% authentic (not a good look when you have children) then this is the way to go.

I hate the term "window treatment" because I don't have a window doctor and it is just a pretension - horrid. They are curtains, drapes, blinds, etc. These curtains are super abundant and (in my humble opinion) suit the over-the-top richness of the house. And they don't look like some cheap staging lady hit up the place, thank goodness.

Sorry guys - have to disagree on this one - I'd take it lock, stock, and smoking barrel.

Moyra A Borg Jul 22nd 2010 5:53AM

Well, to call it 'bad taste' would be rude, so I shall say that it is not at all my taste. It gives you ideas re floor and ceilings, but I would think it's best suited to someone who does not suffer from vertigo, is colour-blind and who has friends who either always wear trousers or don't mind 'people looking up to them' so to speak! I come from Rabat, Malta, so if or when I win the lottery, I can tell you now, I will not want to buy this house.