Top Things to do in Island of Malta
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Things to do in Island of Malta, Malta: The Best Art Museums
One of the three principal islands of the Maltese archipelago, the island of Malta is the largest of the chain. Its capital Valletta, a lively, bustling city with many buildings dating back to the 16th century, teems with cathedrals, palaces and forts. The impressive Grand Harbour offers a dramatic arrival. The top archaeological attraction is the UNESCO-designated Hypogeum temple ruins, a macabre, 5400-square-foot underground necropolis and the world's only underground prehistoric temple.
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1. BLITZ Valletta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Blitz Valletta is a contemporary art space founded in 2013 in a typical Valletta townhouse, which was originally a family home. As a reference institution for international and Maltese art, Blitz Valletta organizes solo and group shows, conferences, workshops, and talks. Between 2015-18 it launched a residency project mentioned by ArtBasel and Tate Art Exchange Programme. Our latest exhibitions included solo shows of Rossella Biscotti, Sara Cwynar, Ahmet Ogut, Adelita Husni-Bey and Tobias Zielony; and a group show with nine international artists whose work delved into the challenges of language in a globalised world and the increasing role of emojis, gifs, memes, social media and video games in our lives. Free entrance.
2. Casa Rocca Piccola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,508 reviews
If you fancy seeing something a little bit different when visiting Valletta go to Casa Rocca Piccola. Often described as a ‘living museum’ it is the only privately owned palace open to the public in the city. Built over 400 years ago for a Knight of Malta, Don Pietro La Rocca it is now the ancestral home of a Maltese Noble family. On your tour the guides will point out interesting things to see such as an 18th Century golden Sedan Chair. There are literally hundreds of magnificent objects to see including modern paintings interspersed with the ancestral portraits of the Marquises de Piro and the Barons of Budach. You will also see a network of tunnels cut out from the rock under Casa Rocca Piccola which were used as Bomb Shelters in World War 2. Over 100 people sheltered here from the Nazi bombs that poured on Valletta. To finish your tour in the cellars of the house there is a delightful Sicilian restaurant called La Giara.
Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States
This magnificent 16th-century palace of a noble Maltese family is the only privately-owned palazzo open to the public and definitely a “must see.” Owned by the Marquis de Piro, the family lives above the two floors that are open to the public, and they use those floors when tours are not going on. Greeted by a large blue and yellow macaw, we started the tour in the enclosed courtyard/garden, enjoying the fountain and the lovely garden. Upstairs we toured the main floor--sitting rooms, dining rooms (one winter/one summer), bedrooms, a study, and a small chapel. We also toured the basement. Originally a well for the house, it was converted to bomb shelter rooms during WWII—one for the family and two others for the local citizens. (Malta was heavily bombed during WWII since it served as Eisenhower’s headquarters for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.) The furnishings and artwork were magnificent, but unlike many palaces that we have visited which seem cold and sterile, this one gave us a really cozy, lived-in feeling. The tour was wonderful. Not only did we get a feel for the house and the family, but also for the place this house held in the history of Malta.
3. MUZA - The Malta National Community Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 53 reviews
The collection is laid out in sections inspired by stories grouped into four main themes being 'The Mediterranean', 'Europe', 'Empire' and 'The Artist'. The display is surprisingly unusual as it juxtaposes old masters with contemporary artworks, groups artworks and objects in ways similar to contemporary art installations, presents techniques on videos and interactive experiences complement objects and artworks on display. Key works by Italian, Neapolitan, French, Northern European and British artists feature together with those by important Maltese artists who played a major role in the development of Malta’s art history. Furthermore, MUŻA plays an active role in the contemporary artistic community through exhibitions and events.
Reviewed By GorgGorgaSciberras - Valletta, Malta
Malta has so much to offer to the Tourist and locals alike. Museums in Malta are easy and fairly cheap to visit, especially if you have an unlimited amount of time. If you’re looking for something a little different, there are a few options to consider, from art/culture to lavish interiors of stately homes and maritime history...so your first stop should be MUZA-The Malta National Community Art Museum. The original National Museum of Fine Arts housed some of the more beautiful and valuable paintings in Malta, the museum closed in 2016. In preparation for Valletta 2018 (European Capital of Culture) practically the whole display of the original collection of paintings, including works by Mattia Preti, Mathias Stomer, Francesco de Mura and other masters, as well as local art and culture exhibitions were moved to Auberge d’Italie, one of the oldest Baroque buildings in Valletta now know as MUZA. Being a senior citizen I can visit all Heritage Malta sites providing me with free unlimited access as long as I present my Heritage Senior Passport. The first time I went I took my two grandchildren with me and they too benefitted from my Passport. We really had a field day with me trying to answer their artistic queries. Their little minds engulfed so much artistic knowledge that bewildered me as to how is it possible they could store so much. Good to note that MUŻA Fine Arts Museum offers a remarkable collection of over 20,000 works of European creativity, exhibiting works by world-renowned artists who feature top museums around the world. A MUST VISIT
4. My Miniature World
