MALTA AT WAR MUSEUM

22/10/2026

The Malta at War Museum Quality Assured seal.

GOOD NEWS: The Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) has awarded Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna a Quality Assured Seal to its Malta at War Museum at Couvre Porte, Birgu. The MTA Quality Assured Seal is a certification program that recognizes tourism attractions and venues in Malta and Gozo for upholding high standards in service, professionalism, and consistency. Started for restaurants in 2008 it was extended for museums, historic sites, parks, and cultural centres in 2010.

The Quality Assured seal is awarded following regular audits and evaluations administered by the MTA’s Licensing & Quality Assurance Department. It is valid for a two-year period, after which businesses undergo a renewal audit.

The award was presented to Mario Farrugia, FWA Founding Chairman by Dr Charles Mangion, MTA Chairman in the presence of Ivan Cassar, Manager Quality Assurance and Gabriel Micallef, FWA's COO at the Malta at War Museum, Birgu.

Other QA seals were awarded to other FWA museums and heritage sites. More on this later.

Photo acknowledgement: MTA

21/10/2026

15/10/2026

Exciting new additions at our museums. Read on and stay tuned.

BREAKING NEWS: Two significant and precious original artefacts from the wartime SS. OHIO fast tanker that saved Malta during Operation Pedestal in the Second World War were repatriated to Malta by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna - the Malta Heritage Trust. They are being placed on display at the Malta at War Museum, Couvre Porte, Birgu. More details to be published later. stay tuned.

07/10/2026

On the occasion of the Birgufest this Saturday 10th, Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will be extending the opening hours of the Malta at War Museum at Couvre Porte, Vittoriosa till midnight. For this occasion, the entrance fee is being reduced by more than 50% to €6 per adult and free for children under 14 years. A visit to this museum will give one the opportunity to see an extensive collection of Malta-related wartime memorabilia, learn about daily life in wartime Malta, see some extremely rare relics from the time, and visit the extensive underground air raid shelter located right under the museum.

07/04/2026

VACANCY - Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is looking to employ on full or part-time basis a number of gunners to fire the guns at the Saluting Battery in Valletta during public displays. Employment hours are from 9.30am till 4.30pm. Interested parties are to send their CV by email only: to [email protected]. A valid working permit is necessary.

29/10/2025

Come and help Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna with this year's olive harvest at Fort Rinella, Kalkara. A free tour will be offered afterwards and will have a chance of seeing the recently inaugurated Guthrie Bridge too. Book a place by sending an email: [email protected]

Next public event free to all old and young - olive picking at Fort Rinella, Kalkara

06/09/2025

IMPORTANT ADDITION: A rare 1930's British Union of Fascists black shirt, cap, belt and armband were added to the Age of Dictatorships display at Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna's Malta at War Museum at Couvre Porte, Birgu.

The British Union of Fascists (BUF) was a British fascist political party formed in 1932 by Oswald Mosley. Mosley changed its name to the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists in 1936 and, in 1937, to the British Union. In 1939, following the start of the Second World War, the party was proscribed by the British government and in 1940 it was disbanded. A Malta branch was formed in 1933. It remained active until 1935 when it was closed down. A Union of Malta Fascists was later formed by Captain Olof Samut, a Maltese war veteran modelled on the BUF which remained active until 1937. The UMF wore the same political uniform as the BUF except for the arm band which was black with a white fasces.

The BUF uniform has been placed on display along other period fascist uniforms worn by other European political movements namely the National Socialist Party in Germany, the Spanish Falange and the Partito Nationale Fascista (National Fascist Party) of Italy. It stands in the part of the museum dedicated to the pre-war years which includes a display about the political situation in Malta at the time, the Fortress economy and above all the spread of totalitarianism in the Western world until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. More interesting items will be added soon.

The Malta at War Museum is one of eight museums established and run by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. It is open to the public from Mon to Sat between 10am and 4.30pm including public holidays.

Recommended reading about the Malta Union of Fascists: https://www.wirtartna.org/product-page/marching-on-captain-frederick-oloff-samut-the-union-of-maltese-fascists

14/04/2025

Lest we forget - biex qatt ma' ninsew!

GEORGE CROSS ANNIVERSARY 2025 - Lest we forget - Biex ma' ninsewx.

26/03/2025

NEWS: Yesterday, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has renewed the guardianship deed for the lower floor of the Couvre Porte Barracks and the underlying wartime air raid shelter at Birgu held in trust by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna - the Malta Heritage Trust since 2011 and seat of the Malta at War Museums for 10 years.