DK Travel : Malta & Gozo : Museums & Galleries

Cathedral Museum, Mdina

The enjoyably diverse collection ranges from worn Roman tombstones to an exquisite 16th-century Hagiothecium (Book of Saints). The highlight is works by the German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528).
Folklore Museum, Rabat/Victoria, Gozo

This engaging museum occupies three historic houses. Exhibits cover all aspects of rural life in Gozo, with recreations of traditional homes and a display of crafts and trades.
Lascaris War Rooms, Valletta

This fascinating museum is located in the World War II military operation rooms, deep in the bastions of Valletta. An animated commentary vividly evokes Operation Husky (the invasion of Sicily) and other pivotal events planned in these subterranean passages.
Malta Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa

Exhibits here range from model ships to lavish ceremonial barges built for the Grand Masters. Look out for the traditional decorations from fishing boats, including a wonderful St George and the dragon.
Museum of Archaeology, Rabat/Victoria, Gozo

This delightful museum is set in a noble mansion. Ancient Gozitan artifacts are displayed.
Museum of St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta

On display are treasures of the Knights, including vestments, portraits of Grand Masters (look out for Antoine de Favray’s rendition of the decadent Pinto), tapestries and the monstrance built to hold the reliquary of the right hand of St John the Baptist.
National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta

A visit is essential to understand fully Malta’s unique prehistoric temples. A star attraction is the enigmatic “Sleeping Lady” (about 2000 BC). The lavish salon upstairs gives a glimpse of the building’s former glory as the Auberge de Provence.
National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta

Highlights include works by Mattia Preti (1613–99) and a watercolour of Valletta by the British artist J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), who never set foot in the islands. There are also delicate sculptures by Antonio Sciortino (1879–1947).
National War Museum, Valletta

This small museum, tucked away in a corner, is full of World War II items. There are black-painted Italian torpedo boats, “Faith” (the only surviving biplane of the trio that defended Malta early in the war), and the George Cross awarded to all the Maltese people in 1942.
St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta

This contemporary arts centre opened in 2000 for the millennium, and is now one of Malta’s most dynamic and popular institutions. The emphasis is on events: theatre and film performances, concerts, children’s events, workshops, even yoga classes.