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Museums And Galleries

Various, Malta

Museums & Galleries 

 
Discovering 7000 years is easier than you might think. The Maltese Islands are really one big heritage park. There are open-air sites and indoor museums for every historical era - from Prehistory to World War II.
 
The Knights of St. John were great patrons of the arts and during their 250 years rule left a legacy of masterpieces which can be found in museums, palaces and churches right across the Islands.
 
The islands' museums have something for everyone - whether you're browsing just for leisure or wish to deepen a special interest. You will find magnificent Baroque architecture and sacred art treasures and get a glimpse into the spectacular history of the islands.
 
With their deep colours and rugged landscape, the Maltese Islands have long inspired artists, photographers and sculptors, both local and foreign. Some of these are exhibited in various galleries, including works by some excellent contemporary artists. The Centre for Creativity at St. James Cavalier in Valletta, showcases their work, whilst other venues, such as The National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Archaeology hold regular exhibitions of art, sculpture and ceramics. If you'd like details of local artists, the staff at both St. James and the Fine Arts Museum will be pleased to help.
 
CASA BERNARD
St. Paul Street, Rabat,
 
MaltaOriginally starting off as a medieval fortress built on Roman foundations, the structure progressed to a double fronted Palazzo in the 1580’s and then given some Baroque additions in the early 18th century. There are some outstanding features in the facade; particularly the balcony, which was originally triple-corbelled and the original late 16th Century studded front door. The barrel-vaulted hallway, the cellar with a chapel, the piano of impressive dimensions and the lovely ‘garigor’, that leads to a three storied watch tower are all highly remarkable features.
 
CASA ROCCA PICCOLA
74 Republic Street, Valletta, Malta
 
This beautiful Palace is the only privately owned property open to the public in Valletta and has a fascinating variety of different things to see.
 
Originally built in the 16th Century for Don Pietro La Rocca, a Knight of Malta, it is now the family ancestral home of the 9th Marquis de Piro and his family. On your visit you will be able to walk through twelve palatial rooms including the two Dining Rooms, (one for the Summer and one for the Winter!) as well as the Four Poster Bedroom and a private Family Chapel. There are literally hundreds of magnificent things to see and many visitors come back year after year. One of the most popular things to see at Casa Rocca Piccola is the network of underground passages and tunnels cut out of the rock over its 400 year history which provide a dramatic and exciting addition to the tours of the house. One particular tunnel takes you into a huge cavern that was used during the WW2 to shelter over 100 people from the heavy bombing and another tunnel takes you to a small room used as a private family shelter.
 
Casa Rocca Piccola also has a walled garden with orange trees and which serves as home to a number of house pets such as Vulcan the Red-eared Terrapin and April the Tortoise.
 
CATHEDRAL MUSEUM
Cittadella, Victoria, Gozo
 
The Gozo Cathedral Museum has more than 2000 items on display, including the Cathedral’s archives, magnificent paintings, clerical vestments and a silver vault. Among the paintings are several by well-known local artists: Giuseppe Hyzler, Michele Busetti and Tommaso Medion.
 
Constructed between 1697 and 1711, the Cathedral is a fine Baroque structure in the form of the Latin cross and is built entirely from the local limestone. The sanctuary was built on the plans of the Maltese architect, Lorenzo Gafa. A tall belfry with five bells at the back of the Cathedral replaces the more traditional and common two belfries at the front, while a 1739 painting on the interior of the temple gives the impression of a dome, when in reality the roof of the building is flat. Another attraction of the Cathedral is the statue of Santa Marija (The Assumption of Our Lady), which was undertaken in Rome in 1897.
 
CHRISTINE X ART (ARTITUDE) GALLERY
17, Tigne' Street, Tas-Sliema, SLM 3141,
 
MaltaIt has been open since 2004 and occasional hosts solo and group exhibitions. Artitude offers art consultancy as well as commissioning of works by permanant gallery artists. It is situated between Qui-si-sana and Tigne front
 

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