Villa Francia
Palace in Lija, Malta / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Villa Francia?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Villa Francia, initially named as Palazzo Francia, then named as Villa Preziosi, and officially known as Palazzo Francia[1][2] and Francia Estate,[3] is an 18th-century palace in Lija, Malta. The palace was built circa 1757,[4] by Francesco Preziosi,[5] with baroque architecture that gave a sense of pride and power to noble people at the time. The first ambitious owner became bankrupt[4] with the expenses of the palace, to make it an outstanding building and incomparable with others, and because of this he was pressured to sell his possession by the Order of St. John to pay his accumulated debts.[6][7]
Villa Francia | |
---|---|
Former names | Palazzo Preziosi, Villa Preziosi, Palazzo Francia |
General information | |
Status | Intact |
Type | Palace |
Architectural style | Palladian exterior Sicilian Baroque interior |
Location | Lija, Malta |
Coordinates | 35°54′11.86″N 14°26′43.18″E |
Current tenants | Government of Malta |
Named for | Initially Count Francesco Preziosi, now William Nathaniel (Fenton) Francia |
Completed | c. 1757 |
Owner | Government of Malta |
Technical details | |
Material | Limestone |
The street where the palace is found is named after the initial name of the palace, as Preziosi Street.[8] The palace was bought by the Francia family and later passed to the Government of Malta. It is currently the official residence of the Prime Minister of Malta. The building should not be confused with formerly named Palazzo Francia, today Palazzo Ferreria.[9]