You are invited to delve into Malta’s rich history and culture at the following locations:
- South Region: Għar Dalam
Għar Dalam, located in Birżebbuġa, is Malta’s oldest prehistoric site. The cave has yielded animal bones dating back to the Pleistocene epoch, including those of dwarf elephants and hippopotami. It was also utilised by some of the earliest farmers on the islands more than 7,000 years ago, leaving behind traces of domestic animals, pottery and tools. The on-site museum showcases these findings in a preserved Victorian-style display.
- Valletta Region: The National Museum of Archaeology
Located in the Auberge de Provence on Republic Street in Valletta, the National Museum of Archaeology offers a fascinating journey through the Maltese Islands’ prehistory and early history. With artefacts dating from Malta’s Neolithic period (5900–2500 BC) to the early Phoenician period (8th–6th century BC), the museum is the perfect place to discover the rich history of the land, its people, and their ancestors.
- Rabat, Mdina & North Region: The National Museum of Natural History
Housed in an 18th-century palace within the fortified city of Mdina, this museum offers extensive exhibits on various aspects of natural history, including geology, paleontology, zoology, and botany. The collections feature specimens such as minerals, fossils, shells, insects, birds, and mammals, providing a comprehensive overview of the natural world.
- Gozo Region: All Ċittadella sites
The Ċittadella in Victoria, Gozo, is a historical fortified city that hosts several notable sites including the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, showcasing artefacts from Gozo’s prehistoric periods through the medieval era, the Gran Castello Historic House offering insights into the daily life of 18th and 19th-century inhabitants of Gozo’s castle, the Gozo Nature Museum focusing on the island’s natural environment and biodiversity, and the Old Prison featuring well-preserved cells and historical graffiti left by inmates.
- Central Region: Birchircara Railway Museum
This museum offers a glimpse into Malta’s railway history, featuring models of locomotives and rolling stock from the Malta Railway, which operated between 1883 and 1931. Exhibits also include related artefacts and illustrations of the social context of the railway era.
- Three Cities & Harbour Region: Malta Maritime Museum
Located along the Birgu waterfront in the historical Naval Bakery, the Malta Maritime Museum is currently hosting An Island at the Crossroads, an exhibition exploring Malta’s strategic role in Mediterranean seafaring while also highlighting the cultural and environmental impacts of maritime activity on the island over time.
Mark your calendar for this special day to explore these sites and uncover the stories that have shaped the Maltese Islands – all free of charge.
Information provided by Heritage Malta
