National War Museum, Military heritage museum in Fort Saint Elmo, Valletta, Malta
The National War Museum is located in Fort Saint Elmo and displays military objects from prehistoric times to the modern era. The exhibition is arranged across several areas showing weapons, uniforms, and equipment from different periods.
The fort was built in the mid-1800s as a gunpowder magazine and later converted into an arsenal. During World War II it served as a training facility for anti-aircraft crews.
The collection displays personal belongings and weapons that show how soldiers and civilians lived during times of conflict. Visitors see how the island organized its defense and what role both the military and residents played.
The location is easily walkable and accessible across several areas, though some stairs are needed to navigate. Comfortable shoes are recommended and you should allow time to explore all the exhibition sections.
One of the most notable exhibits is the Gloster Sea Gladiator aircraft, one of the last fighter planes that defended Malta during the war. This airplane symbolizes the island's desperate air campaign using only a handful of machines.
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