National Museum for Fine Art - Auberge d’Italie - The Best Mobile Map and Guide Tool if you visit Malta!

Go to content
Entrance of the National Museum for Fine Art
The National Museum for Fine Art

The Auberge d'Italy, the former housing of the Italian knights or the Order. At present the National Museum of Fine Arts, called MUZA, is housed in the Auberge d'Italie.

From 1974 until 2016 the National Museum of Fine Arts was located in South Street, in a former building of the Order of St John, and during the British Period, the Admiralty.

The National Museum of Fine Arts provides a wide and varied overview of art in Malta, ranging from the Late Medieval period to modern times. Auberge d'Italie was designed by Girolamo Cassar in his usual austere Mannerist style and housed the Italian Knights of the Order, who had to vacate their premises on St George's Square when the buildings were refurbished to form the Grand Master's Palace. During the 17th century, further modifications were made to the building and in 1680, Grand Master Gregorio Carafa gave the building its baroque character. There is a large commemorative sculpture over the new entrance of the auberge, dedicated to this Grand Master Carafa.

After the French expelled the Order in 1798, it was used for various purposes, such as school, an officer's mess, military headquarters, the General Post Office, government departments and finally, until recently, the Malta Tourism Authority.Both local and internationally acclaimed artists have their works exhibited, among others William Turner, Albert Bierstadt, Valentin de Boulogne, Jusepe Ribera, Guido Reni and Antoine de Favret. It has also the largest collection of works of the Italian painter Mattia Preti (famous for his work in the St John's Co-Cathedral). Furthermore, there are collections of precious Maltese silverware, statuary in marble bronze and wood, fine furniture items and splendid majolica pieces. Antonio Sciortino was a famous Maltese sculptor, whose work can be classified as 'futurist'. A bronze copy of one of his works, Les Gavroches, characters from the novel 'Les Miserables' by Victor Hugo, is permanently exhibited in the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Opening hours
Mondays to Sundays
10:00 - 18:00
Last admission

Advice 45 minutes before closing
Closed
Ticket / admission fee

Infants (1-5 yrs)
Free
Adults (18+ yrs)
€ 10.00
Youths (12 - 17 yrs)
€ 7.50
Seniors (60+ yrs)
€ 7.50
Concessions & students
€ 7.50

Latest news and original website of the attraction / spot / advent
This "The National Museum for Fine Art - The Auberge d'Italy" page is part of “The Malta Magazine”.

This magazine is for every resident and visitor to the country of Malta. But is also educational and for anyone interested in Malta.  The Malta Magazine highlights the past and present of specific subjects and/or places of interest with the help of extensive information and photos.

As a tool during your journey of discovery through Malta, you can use our information services free of charge. You can do this in two ways, via our website https://maltaguide.pro or our app depending on your operating system, Google Play or Apple Store. Both give you the same information.

“The Malta magazine” is the best, ultimate and most comprehensive magazine you can get of Malta.

The magazine is growing fast and will soon contain more than 350 interesting topics.

Find and discover interesting sights and discover the many historical secrets of the country Malta. Find all things to do and places of interest in your exploration.

“The Malta magazine” is also convenient whether you are walking, driving a car, or using the hop-on and hop-off bus trip, boat trip, etc.

“The Malta magazine” provides you with general information about the sights, Malta’s beauty, secrets, history and culture, its architecture, fortifications, etcetera and specific information as: what took place here?; When was it built and by whom?; What are the functions of all these.

“The Malta magazine” describes also religious subjects, museums, parks, places of interest, public toilets and much more useful information. Interesting texts set up by local experts and additional informative photos make this app distinctive.

“The Malta magazine” answers many questions and shows in an easy way to navigate way where the sights are located. A great landmap and citymap made specifically for you, is a great tool. You can immediately see where you are and where the sights are.

In this "Malta Magazine" you will find the location, address, opening hours and admission / entrance fee, general additional information and news about the spot.

Everything in “The Malta magazine” is easy to operate, without any knowledge and suitable for young and old.

“The Malta magazine” is free while you normally would pay for a guided tour, you may enjoy navigating through Malta on your own terms.

“The Malta magazine”  is constantly maintained about: attractions which are closed due to renovation, changed entrance fees or opening times, etc. This maintenance costs a lot of money. However, it has been decided not to include annoying advertisements. The “The Malta magazine” has no hidden costs.

The skillfielly texts are written by local experts and additional informative photos make  “The Malta magazine” information provision distinctive.
Back to content