The National Museum of Archaeology

Housed in the former Auberge de Provence, the museum occupies an impressive building erected by Gerolama Cassar in 1571.

While Valletta celebrates the Crusader capital of Malta, the islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Among previous occupants were Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs. Much of this fascinating mix of ancient history is on view in the displays at the National Museum.

The most noteworthy exhibits are in the prehistoric section, which contains all the material recovered from the Neolithic temples of the Maltese Islands. 6,000-7,000 year-old pottery, ornaments, altars, limestone and terracotta statuettes, cult utensils, etc., from Gaza, the cult sites of Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Hal Tarxien and the Hypogaeum. Models of the five best preserved temples are displayed in one room.

The headless "fat" statues of the supposed deities are on display here, and there are also scale models of prehistoric sites in Malta and Gozo (the oldest free-standing monuments in the world).

Displays begin on the ground floor with Roman anchors; the largest weighs over three tons and was discovered in 1963.

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum is housed in one of the early buildings erected in Valletta (1571) on South Street. The house was rebuilt in 1761. It became the official residence of the British Admiral in 1821 and remained thus until 1961. It was inaugurated as the Museum of Fine Arts in 1964, when Malta became independent.

Although the French and British looted many of Malta's national art treasures, the museum contains the best collection of paintings by Mattia Preti held in any museum anywhere. There are also fine works by Antoine de Favray, Guido Reni, Jusepe de Ribera, Carlo Maratta, and Melchior Gafa, as well as many sculptures by Antonio Sciortino. The pictures displayed on the first two floors are arranged chronologically, beginning with 13th century works and ending with a few 20th century Maltese works.

In the basement there is a collection of Order of the Knights of St. John memorabilia. Among the exhibits to be seen are the various portraits of dignitaries of the Order, silver pieces from the Order's churches and Santo Spirito hospital, and ceramics from the Sacra Infermeria (the main Hospital of the Order).

Malta Maritime Museum

Just across the Grand Harbor in Birgu, so technically not in Valletta, this museum dedicated to the sea and seafaring opened in 1992. The building housed the British navy's bakery until 1979, when the naval base was shut down. The museum exhibits relics from modern as well as old ships, featuring the actual engine room equipment of a dredger built for Malta in 1951.

There are half-models of ships from the 18th and 19th centuries and numerous prints and paintings too. Maritime archaeology is represented by Roman amphorae and anchors made of lead.

Other displays show mannequins dressed in uniforms worn by the Order of St. John's officers and arms and ammunition used at sea.

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

In the neighboring town of Paola, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the world's only known prehistoric underground temple. It was made about 2,500 BC, by hoisting large limestone blocks by means of ropes. Discovered by accident in 1902, it has become a popular tourist attraction. Because of its great importance and advanced age, only 80 people are allowed to visit each day.