A year at the museums
No. 1: The National Museum of Archaeology
The origins of the Maltese Islands are lost in the mists of time - well, almost. As most people know, Malta and Gozo once formed part of a land bridge between North Africa and Europe. Man first set foot in Malta around 5,200 BC and stone monuments at Ġgantija in Gozo attest to this fact. These are now recognised as the oldest free-standing man-made monuments on earth.
Evidence of this and of the occupants of our islands at this time can be seen in a remarkable series of relics from this period, displayed at the National Museum of Archeology in Republic Street, Valletta. The building itself is an impressive sight, with an imposing façade. Known as the Auberge de Provence, it was one of the first and most important buildings to be erected in Malta's baroque capital city, Valletta, after the Great Siege in the late 16th century.
It is generally accepted that the auberge was the work of the great Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar. After the departure of the Knights of St John in the latter part of the 18th century, the building was taken over by the French during their brief occupation of the Maltese Islands.
During the period of British colonial rule, the auberge was utilised as a military barracks, an hotel, the Union Club, an auction house and, finally, a museum.
The Auberge de Provence was designated as the National Museum of Malta in 1958. At that time it housed archaeological treasures as well as paintings and fine art pieces. These latter were later transferred to their permanent home in the Fine Arts Museum in South Street, Valletta.
The layout of the exhibits in the museum is in chronological order. The first exhibition rooms house artifacts dating from the time that man first inhabited the islands up to the temple-building periods. This is done by cleverly utilising the device of a reconstruction of a rock-cut tomb. The items on view include obsidian cores and the red skorba figurines, which are predecessors of the temple period statues and relics.
The impressive main hall of the museum houses many temple carvings, in particular the giant statues and altar blocks of the Tarxien Temples. Also displayed are carvings of animal figures, temple models, and the remarkable human figures, including the famous sleeping lady from the Hypogeum and the Venus figure from Ħaġar Qim.
The third and last exhibition room at the museum contains pottery objects and shards from the temple period. Also housed here are items that attest to the considerable skill and sophistication of the people who lived at this time, including flint tools, beads and other rather lovely ornaments.
Some of the more fascinating items on display in the National Museum of Archaeology are some of the personal possessions and ritual objects used during the temple period. These have the effect of personalising the pieces and bringing us closer to the people who made and used them.
It is often said of this particular museum that you cannot take it all in one visit. It is recommended that you make time for at least two trips, to obtain the full benefit and immerse yourself in Malta's very rich prehistoric past.
Within the museum is a shop selling books, posters, catalogues, postcards, pottery items and mercifully tasteful souvenirs. The shop is open from Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m to 5.30 p.m.
The museum itself is open daily between 9 a.m and 7 p.m.
Evidence of this and of the occupants of our islands at this time can be seen in a remarkable series of relics from this period, displayed at the National Museum of Archeology in Republic Street, Valletta. The building itself is an impressive sight, with an imposing façade. Known as the Auberge de Provence, it was one of the first and most important buildings to be erected in Malta's baroque capital city, Valletta, after the Great Siege in the late 16th century.
It is generally accepted that the auberge was the work of the great Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar. After the departure of the Knights of St John in the latter part of the 18th century, the building was taken over by the French during their brief occupation of the Maltese Islands.
During the period of British colonial rule, the auberge was utilised as a military barracks, an hotel, the Union Club, an auction house and, finally, a museum.
The Auberge de Provence was designated as the National Museum of Malta in 1958. At that time it housed archaeological treasures as well as paintings and fine art pieces. These latter were later transferred to their permanent home in the Fine Arts Museum in South Street, Valletta.
The layout of the exhibits in the museum is in chronological order. The first exhibition rooms house artifacts dating from the time that man first inhabited the islands up to the temple-building periods. This is done by cleverly utilising the device of a reconstruction of a rock-cut tomb. The items on view include obsidian cores and the red skorba figurines, which are predecessors of the temple period statues and relics.
The impressive main hall of the museum houses many temple carvings, in particular the giant statues and altar blocks of the Tarxien Temples. Also displayed are carvings of animal figures, temple models, and the remarkable human figures, including the famous sleeping lady from the Hypogeum and the Venus figure from Ħaġar Qim.
The third and last exhibition room at the museum contains pottery objects and shards from the temple period. Also housed here are items that attest to the considerable skill and sophistication of the people who lived at this time, including flint tools, beads and other rather lovely ornaments.
Some of the more fascinating items on display in the National Museum of Archaeology are some of the personal possessions and ritual objects used during the temple period. These have the effect of personalising the pieces and bringing us closer to the people who made and used them.
It is often said of this particular museum that you cannot take it all in one visit. It is recommended that you make time for at least two trips, to obtain the full benefit and immerse yourself in Malta's very rich prehistoric past.
Within the museum is a shop selling books, posters, catalogues, postcards, pottery items and mercifully tasteful souvenirs. The shop is open from Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m to 5.30 p.m.
The museum itself is open daily between 9 a.m and 7 p.m.