Malta at War Museum
Museum in the Couvre Porte gate at Birgu on the Second World War siege of Malta, with nine galleries and a rock-cut underground air raid shelter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Malta at War Museum is in the Couvre Porte, the old walled entrance to Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, and documents the ordeal of the people of Malta and their defenders during the Malta Blitz of 1940 to 1943. Birgu was the first convent of the Knights of St John before Valletta, the headquarters during the Great Siege of 1565 and, from 1800 to 1979, a home of the Royal Navy. Close to the dockyard, it became one of the worst bombed places in the war, and almost half of it was destroyed.
The museum occupies an 18th-century army barracks that served as a police station and air raid precautions centre during the war. Beneath it is a large rock-cut air raid shelter in which hundreds of people took refuge; the shelter has been restored and is part of the visit at no extra charge. The museum was completely refurbished with co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the Government of Malta and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, which runs it.
Over 10,000 original objects are shown in nine galleries, ranging from personal items, documents and medals to uniforms and weapons, together with period newsreels, sounds and hands-on interpretation. Visitors can also see the 1943 documentary film “Malta G.C.”, the first film made on the island, which was narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier.
Highlights
- More than 10,000 original objects in nine galleries
- Rock-cut underground air raid shelter, included in the ticket
- Period newsreels and the 1943 documentary “Malta G.C.”
- Located in the historic Couvre Porte gate of Birgu
- Free audio guide in twelve languages
Permanent exhibitions
- Malta at War – Nine galleries with more than 10,000 original objects documenting Malta from just before the Second World War to independence, with newsreels and touch-screen story boards.
- Birgu underground air raid shelter – A restored rock-cut shelter beneath the museum where hundreds of people took refuge during the bombing.
- Operated by
- Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12Senior citizens (60+, with valid ID) and students |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 4 · Children aged 5–15 (under 16). |
| Seniors | €12Aged 60 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | €12 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Reduced admission for groups of 10 or more if booked in advance. |
| Families | €28Two adults and three children under 16. |
| Heritage Pass, individual (valid for one week) | €50Admits once to the Malta at War Museum, Fort Rinella, the Lascaris War Rooms, the Saluting Battery and further sites of the foundation. |
| Heritage Pass, family (valid for one week) | €95 |
| War H.Q. Tunnel Tour (starts at the Lascaris War Rooms, Valletta) | €17Child ticket €7. |
Foundation members enter free. Booking online is the cheapest option; tickets bought on site can be paid by card only, as the venue is cashless.
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 main entrance has one step of 14 cm and is not suitable for wheelchairs; wheelchair users enter through a separate double door off the courtyard and should contact staff beforehand or on arrival. Some passages between galleries are only 92 cm wide. The underground shelter cannot be reached by wheelchair: it begins with 24 steep steps and has passages as narrow as 80 cm. There is one disabled parking space in a lay-by close to the entrance. Guide and assistance dogs are allowed.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €28 · Two adults and three children under 16. |
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
Parts of the museum are not suitable for pushchairs because of the limited space; pushchairs can be left in the lobby. Baby changing facilities are available. The museum has hands-on interpretation stations.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Couvre Porte
Buses 2 and 3 run from the Valletta main bus terminus to a stop just outside the Couvre Porte gate, every half hour from Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. A harbour ferry runs every 15 minutes from Lascaris Quay in Valletta to Birgu, and the museum is about 10 minutes’ walk from the landing.
By car
Free parking
There is no dedicated car park; a lay-by near the entrance has 10 unrestricted spaces and one disabled space, and public spaces in Triq San Lawrenz allow 150 minutes of parking.
- Accessible parking
The museum is on the eastern side of the Grand Harbour and is signposted from the Three Cities.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Café and gift shop with books and gifts; free lockers (large bags and backpacks are not permitted).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (AR, EN, NL, DE, MT, ES, RU, FR, DA, ZH, JA, IT) |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is welcome in most areas; flash is not permitted in the galleries, and tripods and selfie sticks may not be used without prior arrangement. |
| Good to know | The audio guide is free, but visitors leave an identity document as a deposit. The shelter may be difficult for visitors who fear narrow or enclosed spaces. Discounted school visits are offered. |
