[5] The building's construction was controversial, as the Order of St. John which at the time ruled Malta regarded Cagliares' plans to move the Bishop's seat to Valletta as impinging upon their jurisdiction over the city.

[5] Apart from administrative and residential functions, the palace was also a venue for greeting dignitaries[4] and it housed the archdiocese's archives (Archivum Archiepiscopalis Melitensis, AAM).

[6] In 1730, the building was altered with the addition of a loggia and other amenities at the expense of Bishop Paul Alphéran de Bussan.

Due to a dispute between the Diocese and the Order, the palace's first storey was left unfinished until the 20th century, when it was completed during the episcopate of Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi.

[8][4] The palace contains a collection of paintings and sculptures, including a portrait of Alphéran de Bussan by Francesco Zahra.