Wartime shelter turned into museum

The shelter under Couvre Porte in Vittoriosa has been turned into the Malta Homefront Museum, a joint project of the Malta Tourism Authority and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna.

The shelter was cleaned two years ago by Vittoriosa local council.

Shelters, dug out of solid rock to provide protection during air raids, during the war become part of people's social life because of the long hours spent waiting for enemy attacks to end.

The Vittoriosa shelter is an extensive maze of passageways and chambers which can accommodate up to 500 people. Visitors to the museum will be able to visualise the difficult conditions people had to endure during the war.

The museum will also include a range of items such as gas masks, ointments, bandages and helmets. It will also provide educational outings for school parties.

The Malta Homefront Museum is close to other important tourist sites, including the Inquisitor's palace, the Maritime Museum and the Vittoriosa waterfront.