World War II Shelters
About This Museum
Most folks don't realize that beneath the serene hills of Rabat lies a labyrinth of tunnels, hand-carved to shelter thousands from the relentless bombs of World War II. This isn't your typical museum with roped-off exhibits; it's a raw, atmospheric journey underground. You can still see the soot marks from oil lamps on the ceilings and feel the chill of the limestone that kept people safe. It’s a deeply personal and humbling place that tells the story not of generals, but of ordinary families clinging to survival.
Collection Highlights
The collection is made up of humble, everyday objects left behind: a child's worn leather shoe, makeshift ceramic stoves, and faded photographs pinned to the rock walls. One of the most poignant things is seeing the original wooden bunks and hearing stories of how entire neighborhoods lived by candlelight for years.
Visitor Information
You'll find the entrance just off It-Telgħa tal-Belt in Rabat, Gozo—look for the modest sign. Wear good shoes, as the floors are uneven and it stays cool down there year-round.
Architecture & Building
It's not a built structure so much as a series of man-made caves and tunnels hewn directly into the globigerina limestone. The rooms are simple, rough-hewn chambers with arched ceilings, designed purely for utility and protection.
Contact & Location
Address: Malta post, Triq ir-Repubblika, Rabat, Ir-Rabat, Għawdex, VCT 1440, Malta
Phone: +356 2156 2666
Website: Visit Website
