Wignacourt Museum

About the museum

The Wignacourt Collegiate Museum in Rabat was once the Baroque residence of the chaplains of the Knights of St John. It was first inaugurated by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, who ruled from 1601 to 1622, and the building was completed in 1749. It stands just outside the ancient Roman city of Melite and is physically linked to St Paul’s Grotto, where the apostle is believed to have founded the first Christian community on the island around AD 60.

The building has three levels. Underground is a labyrinth of Punic, Roman and Christian burial chambers, the Roman catacombs and a complex of Second World War shelters with about fifty rooms, in which some 350 people took refuge during air raids. The ground floor holds offices, smaller collections and a garden with the former refectory and an oven that baked more than 2,000 loaves a day for the people of Rabat during the war.

The first floor is the main exhibition space. It has a picture gallery with works by Mattia Preti, Antoine Favray, Francesco Zahra and other Maltese and European artists, a collection of Spanish, Italian and Maltese silver of the 17th to 19th centuries, a wooden altar used for Mass on the galleys of the Order, relics and reliquaries, sculptures in wood, alabaster and bronze, maps, coins, prints and rare books, and a Baroque chapel used by the chaplains for private devotion. The museum reopened after a thorough refurbishment of the building and the restoration of most of its artworks.

Highlights

• St Paul’s Grotto and Roman catacombs under the building
• Second World War air raid shelters with about fifty rooms
• Picture gallery with works by Mattia Preti and Antoine Favray
• Silver, relics and a portable altar used on the Order’s galleys
• Baroque chaplains’ chapel

Permanent exhibitions

• Picture gallery and museum collections – Paintings by Mattia Preti, Antoine Favray and Francesco Zahra, silver, relics, a galley altar, maps, coins, prints and rare books on the first floor.
• St Paul’s Grotto, catacombs and war shelters – Underground burial chambers, the Roman catacombs and a Second World War shelter complex beneath the museum.

Founded

1981

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 two steps; a ramp can be provided on request, or there is step-free access through the Wignacourt Garden. A lift connects the ground floor with the first floor. The underground areas have natural stone floors that can be uneven, and some passages in the catacombs are narrow with low ceilings; handrails are provided where there are steps. There are accessible toilets on the ground floor and public toilets on the first floor. Guide dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

Pushchairs cannot be taken beyond the ticket turnstiles, but there is a secure place to leave them; an infant harness is recommended.

Getting there & parking

Further public toilets are 50 metres up the road.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

A café-restaurant with table service on the ground floor has a step-free indoor area and an outdoor area reached by a few steps.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit