The Malta at War Museum is an obligatory place to visit for those who are interested in the history of the island and, particularly, in the role of Malta in the Second World War. The initial purpose of the museum is to describe what the bravest Maltese inhabitants and their defenders suffered within the period of the Malta Blitz, which took place from 1940 to 1943.
The Malta Aviation Museum is located in the former Royal Air force Station in Ta’ Qali. The museum is home to many items of historical importance, focusing mainly on World War II and the important role Malta played between 1940 and 1943.
Willing to know more about the maritime history of Malta, beginning with the ancient times and till the present ones, you should visit the Malta Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa. There you will have a chance to see numerous showpieces of Maltese and Mediterranean seafaring and collect volumes of relevant information both in local and global contexts of maritime activities and their impact on the world society.
The Malta Postal Museum is situated in the centre of Valetta, on the Archbishop Street, near the Grandmaster’s Palace and Our Lady of Damascus Church. Opened in 2016, it attracts visitors with its fascinating exponents of postal relevance, which origin from different times beginning with the 16th century and till the present days. The contemporary minimalistic design of the Museum’s interior creates a specific contrast with the collection stored there, which only adds the place the unique air of antiquity and value.
In the old days there were at least 69 windmills on the islands: 15 in Gozo and 54 in Malta. Today only two of them still have wings. The history of the Maltese mills began with the Knights coming there. These were them who built the first dozens of windmills, the major part of which was constructed in 1663-1773. Approximately at the same time 4 windmills in Malta and 1 in Gozo were also built by the descendants of the Lascaris family who were not connected to the Order.
Manoel theatre is one of the oldest working theatres in Europe. Built in 18th century, on costs of Great Master of Saint John`s order Manoel de Vilhena, the theatre was designed for the noble entertainments of the Maltese knights. It got the motto «Ad honesta populi oblectaconem» («for the honest recreation of the people») and this Latin inscription still can be seen at the entrance to the theatre.
The Mellieha World War II Shelters are one of the largest shelter complexes in Malta, dug entirely by hand and reaching the length of over 500 metres. The complex includes lengthy corridors with anti blast chambers, private rooms to accommodate entire families, a maternity section and a guarded room reserved to protect national treasures. This served as protection for the local population and refugees from all over the island.
Located in the very heart of the old city of Valletta, a majestic building of the National Library of Malta attracts attention with its beautiful architecture and a fabulous marble monument of Queen Victoria, decorating space in front of the building. However, the library is especially noteworthy not so much by its well-graced neoclassical style, as by its unique collection of manuscripts, originated from the time of the crusaders.
The National archaeological museum of Valletta presents a great number of antique artifacts found in different locations on Malta. The exposition of the museum helps the habitants and guests of the city learn a lot about different periods of Maltese history starting from Neolithic age.
The National Museum of Fine Arts is the principal museum of arts on Malta. Established in 1974 in the capital city Valletta, it stores collections of both Maltese and foreign artists and gives an overview of the arts on Malta from the 15th and until the 20th century, representing practically all the major European artistic styles. Among the permanent exhibitions guests of the museum will find precious paintings, sculptures, furniture and household items as well as many others exponents worth of their interest.
