Malta at War Museum

The Malta at War Museum occupies a former barrack block and a rock-hewn air-raid shelter set within the Couvre Porte Counterguard fortifications in Birgu (Vittoriosa). Malta's strategic position in the central Mediterranean made it a prime target during World War II: between 1940 and 1942 the island endured one of the heaviest sustained bombing campaigns in history, ultimately earning the collective George Medal from King George VI — the only time the award was given to an entire nation. The ground-floor exhibition walks visitors through the war's timeline using original artifacts, period film footage, weapons, and civilian objects. The standout experience is the original air-raid shelter tunneled into the bedrock, where thousands of civilians sheltered during raids. Guided tours led by passionate, expert guides are consistently praised by visitors and add considerable depth to the experience.