The corridor led them to a palace, the Inquisitor’s Palace! That name scared them, as they had heard he was cruel, so they tip-toed silently, until they came to the court-room. There the trial of a woman accused of witchcraft was taking place, she was accused of preparing magic potions to make men love her. The Inquisitor found guilty, so she was led down to the cells, but unlike the Spanish inquisition, there was no torture in Malta, though the children saw many people held in the jail under the Palace.
The Inquisitor’s Palace also served as a hospital and the children were transported to a time of hardship and healing. The Knights of St John were set up to provide care for pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, but in Malta they treated wounded soldiers and even slaves, who were given the same medical treatment as the Knights. This experience taught them about the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of compassion and care in times of crisis. Moved by the scenes of sacrifice and healing, they stepped back onto the main path, their souls touched by the depth of human kindness.