One of two similar balconies, at each corner of the Palace in Valletta, today housing the Office of the President, the House of Representatives (not for much longer) and what’s left of the armoury of the Order of St. John’s. The Palace was one of the first buildings in Valletta, erected in 1571. The original building was the house of a nephew of Grandmaster Jean de la Vallette, founder of the city. This house was purchased and Girolamo Cassar was commissioned to design a palace. Over the years, the Palace was enlarged and developed by successive Grandmasters to serve as their official residence. During the British period it served as the Governor's Palace.