The historic buildings currently housing the Gozo Nature Museum and the Gozo Museum of Archaeology are being restored by Heritage Malta, with their existing functions gradually being phased out to make way for the new, comprehensive Gozo Museum.
Substantial parts of the Gozo Nature Museum will close on Friday, March 20. The remaining parts will be open free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, allowing access to the Natura 2000 sites displays on the upper floor and the recreational areas, including the back garden.
Situated behind the Courts of Justice at the Ċittadella in Victoria, the museum is housed within a cluster of three interconnected domestic buildings dating back to the 1600s, which boast several authentic architectural features. The property possibly served as an inn in later years and was also utilised as a shelter by families who sought refuge during aerial bombings in World War II.
Once the museum closes down fully and restoration is completed, the building is planned to be used by Heritage Malta for administration purposes, while the Natura 2000 displays and the recreational area will be retained.
On April 13, it will be the turn of the Gozo Museum of Archaeology to close its doors. The museum shop will temporarily remain open, and tickets for the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum will still be available from these premises.
The museum is housed in a 17th-century townhouse within the Ċittadella. Originally serving as a town hall where the Knights of St John received distinguished guests, the building later fulfilled various roles before falling into disuse. Initial restoration efforts began in 1937 under Sir Harry Luke, then lieutenant governor of the Maltese islands.
In 1960, the building became Gozo’s first public museum, displaying archaeological and ethnographic artefacts. Following the reorganisation of Gozo’s museum collections in 1986, it was designated as the home of the archaeological collection.
Upon restoration following its closure as a museum, the building will house a new Heritage Malta attraction linked to the Ċittadella.
The closure of both museums marks the final stage of preparations of the collections hosted within these museums to be eventually displayed in the Gozo Museum – a state-of-the-art space that will bring together the different facets of Gozo’s rich history as a fresh and novel visitor attraction, in line with excellence and best practices in the international sector concerning museums and conservation.