Parish Church Museum, Birgu

Behind the Saint Lawrence Parish church, visitors will discover the Parish Church Museum. This museum offers insight into the character and history of the old city of Vittoriosa. The building, once known as the church of Saint Catherine, now serves as a treasure trove of artifacts preserved through the ages.

Run entirely by volunteers, the museum's exhibits encompass a wide array of relics spanning military, ecclesiastical, academic, and social history. Among the museum's prized possessions is the very first newspaper ever issued in Malta, dating back to 1804. However, the true gem of the collection is the battle sword of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette. Unlike his ceremonial sword, which was famously looted by Napoleon's forces in the 18th century and is now displayed in the Louvre in Paris, this sword is the authentic weapon that accompanied La Valette through his numerous battles and is a tangible link to Malta's heroic past.