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12 Maltese Museums You Need To Visit If You Don’t Usually Enjoy Visiting Museums

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Museums can be a bit of a drag for people. Walking endless corridors and looking at never-ending stuff is not everyone’s piece of cake. Luckily, there’s something for everyone.

We have compiled a list of Maltese museums which even people who hate museums can actually enjoy roaming in.

1. National Museum of Natural History

This museum houses the stuff straight out of nightmares for some of us. From formaldehyde-pickled octopi the size of six year old children to weird giant alien-like creatures, you will surely break a sweat as you imagine these creatures trying to feed on you.

It’s an extremely beautiful collection which has a whole hall dedicated to just minerals and rocks and an extensive amount of information on human evolution, palaeontology and Maltese flora and fauna.

2. Malta Classic Car Collection Museum

Whoever is passionate about cars should definitely visit this museum. The Malta Classic Car Collection houses incredibly iconic cars ranging from Spitfires to Jaguars. The museum is owned by a car enthusiast. Maybe enthusiast is a bit of an understatement here, since he has so many cars.

The museum also houses really interesting stuff from the 40s to the 60s – gramophones, jukeboxes and even clothing – so it’s not all cars.

3. Bir Mula Heritage

This gem in the middle of Bormla has so much history we don’t even know where to begin. The site has been in use since like, forever. Neolithic tools, Punic graffiti and Roman stuff were found during excavations and the Knights totally used is as a base for their secret meetings.

The house is complete with birthing rooms and it still has all of its original features.

4. Żabbar Sanctuary Museum

The Parish Museum of Żabbar is a pretty treasure which might be a bit easy to miss. Found right next to the colossal parish church, this museum has a collection of treasures spanning eons.

There’s paintings by Preti, Cali and D’Arena, frescos, ship bits, church relics and prehistoric artefacts.

5. Gran Castello Historic House

Gran Castello in Gozo gives us a glimpse of traditional life in Malta. The 16th century house was built in a heavy late gothic style laced with Sicilian and Catalan influences.

It houses a large collection of church miniatures, religious artefacts, agricultural tools and is among one of the finest collection of crafts and traditions from the past in Gozo.

6. Esplora

This is one of the most innovative museums on our islands. It’s Malta’s very own scientific centre and was previously used as a hospital by the Royal Navy.

This place is a great hangout for both kids and adults and it seriously puts the fun back in science. There’s even a planetarium and an activity centre where fun is literally the main theme.

7. St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum

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This baroque beauty was built by the Knights and houses priceless items which hold great artistic and historical value to our islands. You can look at Caravaggio’s works, some cool Flemish tapestries, vestments and invaluable books.

8. Wignacourt Museum

The building consists of three levels and house paintings by Mattia Preti, Francesco Zahra and Antoine Favray. Wooden altars, reliquaries, medallions, maps, books and even King Henry VIII’s Septem Sacraments are among the rich array of treasures this museum boasts. It even houses one of Malta’s very few death masks — Cosmana Navara’s. You can also visit St. Paul’s magnificent grotto while there.

9. Mdina Dungeons

Malta’s macabre Madame Tussauds is an underground labyrinth portraying historical tales of horror and torture — told by terrifying wax figures.

These figures are so realistic that at some point you’ll think that they’re actual people being tortured mercilessly at the hands of ruthless sadists with no dress sense. Don’t worry though; they’re definitely not. Phew.

10. Inquisitor’s Palace

This ethereal palace in Birgu houses extensive collections of witchcraft relics, cribs, Jesus statues, altars and paintings. It’s one of the few palaces of it’s kind open to the public on this planet, so it’s honestly worth visiting. If not for the exhibitions, at least for its impeccable architecture and lush garden.

11. Malta Aviation Museum

Literally, it’s all planes. This behemoth of a museum in Ta’ Qali covers our island’s aviation history, focusing mostly on the WW2 and post-war era. Some of the planes there are still totally airworthy and can fly well. It boasts all kinds of hangars from Agusta Bell 47G helicopters to the Sea Venom carrier.

12. Fort Rinella

This is the perfect museum for you if you like reenactments and shows. Fort Rinella boasts many historical displays and film shows. They do live demonstrations daily and night tours are also available if prior booking is made.

Do you know anyone who doesn’t like museums? Tag them in the comments below

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