- Address: Elmo Place, Valletta VLT 1741, Malta
- Foundation date: 1488.
- Phone of the museum: +356 2122 2430
- Entrance fee: adult - 2.5 €, students, pensioners - 1.25 €, children 6-11 years old - 0.5 €, children under 5 years - free of charge accompanied by adults
- Opening hours: 09.00 - 17.00 (the entrance closes at 4.30 pm)
In 1488 on the outskirts of Valletta for the protection of the approaches to the harbor of Marsamhette and the Great Harbor was built Fort St. Elmah, which received its name in honor of the patron saint of sailors who died martyrdom. In 1565, during the siege of Malta by the Ottoman Empire, the Fort St. Elma was captured by the Turks and almost destroyed, but the efforts of the Hospitallers were liberated and later completely restored and fortified.
Now the fortress houses the National Military Museum and the Police Academy. The Police Academy is closed to tourists for security reasons, but everyone can visit the museum.
From the history of the museum
The museum highlights the events of the First and Second World Wars. Here is a collection of numerous items used by soldiers in defense with Italian and German invaders. The museum was created in 1975 by enthusiasts. Initially, the museum building was a powder cellar of Fort St. Elmah, built in the 14th century, and since 1853 it was rebuilt into a weapons warehouse where during the Second World War shells for an anti-aircraft missile system were stored.
Architecture and exhibits of the museum
Outside, the Fort St. Elmah is a fortress, and inside it is a complex of tunnels, galleries and passageways, where the Maltese were hiding from air attacks by the enemy.
In the halls of the museum are many photographs of the war, as well as military cars and wreckage of aircraft, military awards of the First and Second World War. For example, the museum exhibited St. George's cross, which the island awarded the British King George 4 for heroism, manifested in times of war. In addition, the museum presents a military uniform and soldiers' equipment, in a separate gallery there is a biography of the defenders of Malta. In the main hall of the museum you can see the wreckage of an Italian warship.
One of the most interesting museums in Malta will interest tourists not only with its unique collection of artifacts - here you can regularly enjoy a theatrical performance of medieval knight exercises that are dressed according to the rules of that era, perfectly master swords, spears and cannons.
How to get there and when to visit?
The museum is located at: St. Elmo Place, Valletta VLT 1741, Malta. To get to the museum you can by public transport - by bus number 133, coming to the stops of "Fossa" or "Lermu". The Military Museum of Malta accepts visitors every day from 09:00 to 17:00. Children under 5 can go to the museum for free.
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