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The Malta at War Museum is a
The museum is housed within the Couvre Porte, a 17th-century
museum
A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make thes ...
in Birgu
Birgu ( mt, Il-Birgu , it, Vittoriosa), also known by its title Città Vittoriosa ("''Victorious City''"), is an old fortified city on the south side of the Grand Harbour in the South Eastern Region of Malta. The city occupies a promontory of ...
, Malta
Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
, which is dedicated to Malta's role in World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. The museum is housed within a barrack
Barracks are usually a group of long buildings built to house military personnel or laborers. The English word originates from the 17th century via French and Italian from an old Spanish word "barraca" ("soldier's tent"), but today barracks are u ...
block and a rock-hewn air-raid shelter within Couvre Porte Counterguard.
Location
The museum is housed within the Couvre Porte, a 17th-century counterguard
The counterguard (german: Kontergarde, french: contre-garde) is an outwork in a bastioned fortification system that usually comprises only a low rampart and which is sited in front of the actual fortress moat that runs around the bastions or rave ...
forming part of the fortifications of Birgu
The fortifications of Birgu ( mt, Is-Swar tal-Birgu) are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Birgu, Malta. The first fortification to be built was Fort Saint Angelo in the Middle Ages, and the majority ...
. In the 18th century, casemates were built within the counterguard, and these were later converted into the barracks. During World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, the barracks were used as a police headquarters, and later as a civil defence centre. At this point, air-raid shelters for the population of Birgu were dug in the rocks beneath the counterguard. Today, the barracks and shelters all form part of the museum.
Collections
The Malta at War Museum's collection consists of memorabilia such as weapons, uniforms, medals, documents and other items. It also features original film footage of the war, such as the 1943propaganda film
A propaganda film is a film that involves some form of propaganda. Propaganda films spread and promote certain ideas that are usually religious, political, or cultural in nature. A propaganda film is made with the intent that the viewer will ad ...
''Malta G.C.''
The museum was renovated and enlarged between September 2011 and April 2012.
See also
*List of museums in Malta
This is a list of museums in Malta.
* Bir Mula Heritage
* Casa Rocca Piccola
* Domvs Romana
* Fort Rinella
* Fortifications Interpretation Centre
* Għar Dalam
* Gozo Museum of Archaeology
* Gran Castello Historic House
* Lascaris War Rooms
...
References
Museums in Malta Buildings and structures in Birgu World War II museums World War II sites in Malta Air raid shelters {{Malta-geo-stub