Malta At War Museum

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Location: Il-Birgu

The Malta at War Museum is a museum dedicated to Malta’s role in the Second World War. The museum is located within the Couvre Porte, a 17 th century counterguard which forms part of the fortifications of Birgu. The Couvre Porte was built as a defense feature to protect Birgu’s main gateway. In the 18 th century, casemates were built within the counterguard which were subsequently converted into barracks. During the Second World War, the barracks were used as police headquarters and air raid precaution centre. Air raid shelters were dug underneath the counterguard so that people living in Birgu could seek refuge from the enemy’s bombardment. Since Birgu is situated within the strategic Dockyard Creek, it was one of the most heavily bombed places.

In fact, almost half of it was destroyed because of the enemy’s actions, thus these shelters were vital in saving people’s lives. Today the museum offers visitors an insight into the history of Malta and the daily ordeal of Maltese people during the Blitz. It contains a collection of artefacts and memorabilia ranging from personal items, documents, uniforms, medals, and weaponry. It also features authentic film footage of the war, such as the 1943 propaganda film Malta G.C. In collaboration with Kottonera Foundation.

Il-Mużew tat-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija huwa mużew iddedikat għar-rwol ta’ Malta fit-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija. Il-mużew jinsab f’Couvre Porte, kontragwardja tas-seklu 17 li tifforma parti mill-fortifikazzjonijiet tal-Birgu. Il-Couvre Porte nbniet bħala element ta’ difiża biex tipproteġi d-dħul prinċipali tal-Birgu. Fis-seklu 18, inbnew casemates fil-kontragwardja li sussegwentement ġew ikkonvertiti fi kwartieri. Matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija, il-kwartieri ntużaw bħala kwartieri ġenerali tal-pulizija u ċentru ta'prekawzjoni kontra r-rejd mill-ajru. Ġew imħaffra xelters sabiex in-nies li jgħixu fil-Birgu jkunu jistgħu jfittxu kenn mill-bumbardamenti tal-għadu. Peress lil-Birgu jinsab viċin it-tarzna li huwa post strateġiku minħabba li kienu jissewwew il-vapuri, kien wieħed mill-aktar postijiet ibbumbardjati.

Fil-fatt, kważi nofs il-Birgu ġie meqrud minħabba l-azzjonijiet tal-għadu, u b'hekk dawn ix-xelters kienu vitali biex isalvaw il-ħajjiet tan-nies. Illum il-mużew joffri lill-viżitaturi ħarsa lejn l-istorja ta’ Malta u l-esperjenzi iebsa li kienu jiffaċjaw ta’ kuljum il-Maltin matul il-Blitz. Fil-mużew tinstab kollezzjoni ta'artefatti u memorabilia li jvarjaw minn oġġetti personali, dokumenti, uniformijiet, medalji u armi. Fil-mużew jintwerew wkoll filmati awtentiċi tal-gwerra, bħall-film ta’ propaganda tal-1943 Malta G.C. B'kollaborazzjoni mal-Fondazzjoni Kottonera.