Għar Dalam Cave and Museum

About the museum

Għar Dalam is a cave on the edge of Birżebbuġa in the south-east of Malta and the site of the oldest known prehistoric remains on the islands. Excavations in the second half of the 19th century uncovered large quantities of animal bones, the oldest more than 160,000 years old. During the Ice Age sea levels fell and animals such as elephants, hippopotamuses, deer, bears and wolves crossed from Sicily over land bridges; when the sea rose again they were cut off and evolved in isolation. The upper layer of the cave holds evidence of early Neolithic settlers who brought the first domestic animals from Sicily, and its pottery is the earliest sign of human settlement in Malta, some 7,400 years ago. The cave gave its name to the Għar Dalam phase of Maltese prehistory.

In 1929 Giuseppe Despott asked the government to build a hall for the finds from the earlier digs. His successor Joseph Baldacchino oversaw the Victorian-style display hall, built between 1934 and 1937, which is one of only a few such displays left in Europe and has been kept in its original form. A newer wing designed by George Zammit Maempel was added in 2002 and explains the Ice Age fauna, the effects of island evolution, the Neolithic occupation and the geology of the site.

Today the site is run by Heritage Malta. Only the first 50 metres of the 144-metre cave can be visited, along a walkway with steps and railings. Since 2016 the cave has been part of the Natura 2000 network, protecting an endemic cave woodlouse and a roost of lesser horseshoe bats. The surrounding gardens have been replanted with native species and offer views over the Wied Dalam valley.

Highlights

• Ice Age bones of elephants, hippopotamuses and deer in the Joseph Baldacchino Hall
• One of the few surviving Victorian-style museum displays in Europe
• George Zammit Maempel Hall on Pleistocene fauna and island evolution
• First 50 metres of the 144-metre cave open to visitors
• Gardens of native plants above the Wied Dalam valley

Permanent exhibitions

• Joseph Baldacchino Hall – A Victorian-style display of animal bones excavated from the cave, shown in rows in their original cases.
• George Zammit Maempel Hall – Displays on the history of the cave and on the species found in Malta’s Pleistocene deposits.

Operated by

Heritage Malta

Admission & discounts

The ticket is a combined ticket for Għar Dalam and the Borġ in-Nadur Prehistoric Complex (currently closed) and is valid for 30 days from first use. Heritage Malta members and passport holders enter free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is below street level; a ramp leads to the entrance, and the halls are accessible, but the gardens and the cave are reached by steps. There is an accessible toilet and two marked parking spaces for blue badge holders. Service dogs are welcome, other pets are not permitted.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Nappy changing facilities are available. The museum does not offer child-minding services.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies just outside Birżebbuġa. The Hop On Hop Off bus service also serves the area.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Gift shop with a coffee machine and snacks, free lockers, indoor and outdoor seating. Free Wi-Fi is available at reception and throughout the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit