Malta at War Museum, Birgu (must see)

The Malta at War Museum is a dedicated institution that delves into Malta's significant role during World War II. Housed within the historic confines of a barrack block and a subterranean air-raid shelter located within the Couvre Porte Counterguard in Birgu, this museum offers a profound exploration of Malta's wartime experiences.

In the 18th century, casemates were constructed within the counterguard, later repurposed as barracks. During World War II, these barracks served as a crucial police headquarters and subsequently as a civil defense center. To provide protection for the residents of Birgu, air-raid shelters were excavated in the rocky substructure beneath the counterguard. Today, all these elements form an integral part of the museum's immersive experience.

The Malta at War Museum boasts an extensive collection of wartime memorabilia, including weapons, uniforms, medals, documents, and various artifacts. Visitors can also view original film footage from the war, including the 1943 propaganda film "Malta G.C." The museum provides insight into the daily life of wartime Malta and the remarkable story of how this small island endured one of the most intense onslaughts in modern history.

Visitors can also explore the extensive underground tunnel, which once served as an underground civil defense center for the Three Cities and provided shelter for hundreds of people during air raids.