Gozo Cathedral Museum

About the museum

The idea of a cathedral museum on Gozo was first raised in the early 1920s. It was taken up again in 1967 under Bishop Nikol Cauchi, and the Cathedral Chapter approved the plans on 9 February 1969. Building began in November 1970 to a design by the architect Joe Dimech, and the museum was inaugurated on 21 October 1979.

A complete refurbishment started in September 2018, when all exhibits were put into storage. The work, co-financed by EU funds and the Cathedral Chapter, was supervised by Joseph Calleja, and the renovated museum was inaugurated in July 2022. It now spreads over three levels, which can be reached by stairs and a lift.

The silver vault on the first level shows church silver, among it a solid silver crucifix with twelve matching candlesticks that stand on the high altar at the feast of Santa Marija; they were ordered in Germany in 1914 and reached Gozo in 1920. The second level tells the history of the cathedral through memorabilia such as the landau of the bishops of Gozo, which was donated to the diocese in 1864 and used on special occasions until 1945. The collection also includes paintings, coins, chalices, vestments and Doric columns of the first century BC.

Highlights

• Silver vault with a solid silver crucifix and twelve candlesticks
• Landau of the bishops of Gozo and other memorabilia of the cathedral
• Paintings, coins, chalices and vestments
• Doric columns of the first century BC
• One ticket also covers the cathedral with its trompe-l’œil dome and the vestry

Permanent exhibitions

• Silver vault – Church silver of the cathedral, including a solid silver crucifix and twelve matching candlesticks used at the feast of Santa Marija.
• History and memorabilia of the cathedral – Objects from the cathedral’s past, among them the landau of the bishops of Gozo, together with paintings, coins and vestments.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Gozo Cathedral Chapter

Admission & discounts

Tickets for the museum, the vestry and the cathedral are sold at the Cathedral Gift Shop. The Heritage Malta Ċittadella combo ticket does not include the cathedral museum.

Accessibility

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

The church and the museum are accessible to visitors with special needs. The museum has three levels with stairs and a lift. Pedestrians can reach Cathedral Square by steps, a public lift or a ramp near the car park.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car drive to the Cathedral car park, then climb the steps or use the ramp or public lift up to Cathedral Square.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The Cathedral Gift Shop, where tickets are sold, is open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit