Wignacourt Museum, Mdina

The Wignacourt Museum is a cultural treasure housed in an elegant 18th-century Baroque building with a rich historical legacy. Its history is closely intertwined with the chaplains of the Order of Saint John, and it bears the name of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, who governed the Maltese Islands from 1601 to 1622.

The museum is particularly renowned for its extensive collections of art and religious artefacts. Constructed in 1749, the building extends across three levels, each revealing a different aspect of Malta’s history. The underground level connects to Saint Paul’s Grotto and contains a fascinating network of Punic, Roman and Early Christian hypogea. The subterranean complex also incorporates Second World War air-raid shelters, offering a glimpse into a much more recent chapter of Malta’s past.

The building itself features a charming garden and a small chapel that once served as a place of private worship for the chaplains. On the main floor, the museum’s art gallery displays works by prominent artists such as Mattia Preti, Antoine de Favray and Francesco Zahra.

Beyond its paintings, the museum houses an impressive variety of objects, including sculptures, antique silverware, relics, pottery, coins, maps, rare books and prints. One particularly unusual exhibit is an altar once used for celebrating Mass aboard the galleys of the Order of Saint John. With such a diverse collection, the Wignacourt Museum offers visitors a fascinating journey through Malta’s artistic, religious and cultural history.