New museum highlights Malta's industrial heritage
The museum is housed in the old Vincenzo Bugeja Technical Workshops
Items from Malta's industrial heritage are on display at the Vincenzo Bugeja Technical Workshops Museum, inaugurated last week.
The museum is managed by the Malta Industrial Heritage Association, a voluntary organisation whose aim is the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of Malta’s Industrial Heritage.
The workshops were established in Sta Venera in 1903 by the Marchese Vincenzo Bugeja to train young boys in woodworking and metalworking in a system of apprenticeships.
Items on display at the new museum.The Marquis, born on 16th February 1821, was a renowned businessman whose wealth came from inheritance, investments, and fortune. Known as the “Maltese Matador” for his success in the Monte Carlo and Hamburg casinos, he used his fortune for the betterment of society”.
In his address, Andrew Mamo, Chairperson of the Vincenzo Bugeja Foundation recalled that “in 1873, Bugeja also presented his vision of a Conservatorio for poor girls to Pope Pius IX, receiving his blessing. In fact, he then devoted his vast wealth to philanthropic purposes building the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja for poor girls”.
The Conservatorio dedicated to supporting young women was established on 18th May 1880 and was founded with the mission to house, educate, and protect young women facing difficult circumstances. Moreover, Mr Mamo added that “the Marquis also established the Istituto Vincenzo Bugeja which housed the first technical school in Malta, later known as San Filippo Neri”. The workshops within this Institute still hold the machinery that was installed at that time.
The Istituto Vincenzo Bugeja was designed by the renowned Maltese Architect Emanuele Galizia. The new museum is located within it at St Joseph High Street, Sta Venera.
There are no set public opening times currently, but visits can be arranged if requested.