The Italian embassy in Malta – The Chancery
The Embassy of Italy in Malta represents the Italian State in the Republic of Malta and works to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two countries, founded on historic ties of friendship, cooperation and cultural proximity.
Following Malta’s declaration of independence in September 1964, Italy immediately established diplomatic relations with the country, appointing its own Ambassador, Antonio Dazzi.
For a brief period, the Embassy was housed in Valletta, in the same premises on Archbishop Street where the Consulate General of Italy had previously operated. Soon, however, as political and commercial relations intensified, the offices proved inadequate and the diplomatic chancery was transferred to Ta’ Xbiex, first to Villa Marpa and subsequently to Villa “Bel Air”, which was leased in 1968.
The Embassy maintained its offices at Villa “Bel Air” until 1974, when the further expansion of relations and increasingly intense diplomatic activity led the Italian Government to seek larger premises. This resulted in the purchase of the building in Floriana where the Italian diplomatic mission is still located today.
For forty years, the Embassy offices in Floriana have served as a point of reference for the entire Italian community and for Italian nationals visiting Malta.
Villa Bel Air – The Residence of the Ambassador of Italy to Malta
The Residence of the Ambassador of Italy to Malta, Villa “Bel Air”, is located in Ta’ Xbiex, a town of approximately two thousand inhabitants situated in the north-eastern part of the island, not far from the capital, Valletta.
The history of Villa “Bel Air” is intertwined with that of two noble Maltese families, the Testaferrata and the Preziosi, who began construction work on the building in May 1935.
Following Malta’s independence, Italy was among the first countries to establish a diplomatic mission there. However, the subsequent development of relations, accompanied by an increasing intensity of political and commercial contacts, soon made it necessary to secure premises better suited to the needs of the Italian diplomatic representation. The chancery was therefore established in Ta’ Xbiex, initially at Villa Marpa and, from 1968, at Villa “Bel Air”, which was acquired on lease.
Villa “Bel Air” housed the offices of the Embassy until 1974. In that year, the progressive expansion of bilateral relations and the growing volume of diplomatic activity led the Italian Government to identify larger premises. This resulted in the purchase of the building in Floriana, which remains the seat of the Italian diplomatic mission to this day.
For almost a decade, Villa “Bel Air” was therefore an integral part of Italy’s institutional presence in Malta, accompanying a decisive phase in the consolidation of relations between the two countries.
On 19 December 1985, before Notary Marco Farrugia, Ambassador Andrea Negrotto Cambiaso met the heirs of Count Luigi Preziosi for the signing of the deed of sale of Villa “Bel Air”. From that moment, the villa became the property of the Italian Government.