One of the most important historic landmarks in St Julian’s is Spinola Palace, an elegant Baroque residence overlooking Spinola Bay. Built in 1688 by Fra Paolo Raffaele Spinola, the palace was originally intended as a summer retreat and place of entertainment. Surrounded by extensive gardens that once stretched down toward the bay, it marked the beginning of development in the area and played a key role in transforming the locality from countryside into a coastal settlement.