Information
Landmark: Natural History MuseumCity: Mdina
Country: Malta
Continent: Europe
Natural History Museum, Mdina, Malta, Europe
Overview
In Malta’s old capital, Mdina, the National Museum of Natural History sits inside Vilhena Palace, its limestone walls catching the afternoon sun.In Malta, the museum stands as a key guardian of the island’s natural heritage, from jagged limestone cliffs to delicate wild orchids, displaying its geology, flora, fauna, and fossils with care.It gives visitors a rich look at Malta’s natural world and the lands around it, tracing the story from ancient fossils in its limestone cliffs all the way to life today.The National Museum of Natural History opened in the 1970s, though its stone-fronted building has stood since the 18th century.It sat inside Vilhena Palace, a grand Baroque home first built for Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena of the Order of St. John, its limestone walls still warm from the afternoon sun.The palace’s sweeping arches and hilltop view are as much a draw as the treasures inside.Long before it became a museum, it housed the Grand Master and, later, served as a bustling military officers’ club.In the 20th century, it was transformed into the home of Malta’s natural history collection, where visitors can study everything from the island’s rugged limestone cliffs to the delicate bones of birds that once filled its skies.First.In the museum’s geology section, you’ll find a vast fossil collection-tiny shells, ancient bones-that brings the island’s prehistoric life vividly to mind.These fossils, some over a million years old, offer a window into Malta’s shifting landscapes.The exhibits spotlight the Pleistocene era, bringing to life the island’s paleontological past with shells from ancient seas and bones of mammals that roamed here during the Ice Age.In another gallery, the museum’s botanical collection displays Malta’s rich plant life, from hardy native herbs to colorful blooms introduced from abroad.Visitors can explore delicate pressed blooms, sturdy shrubs, and towering trees while discovering how each shapes the island’s ecosystems.In the fauna section, they’ll meet Malta’s wildlife, from resident lizards basking in the sun to migratory birds pausing on their long journey.You’ll find a display of the island’s unique wildlife, including the quick, green Maltese wall lizard and the shy Maltese freshwater crab.The collection holds taxidermy specimens of birds, mammals, and marine creatures, their glass eyes catching the light.A whole section of the museum is devoted to Malta’s surrounding seas, with detailed displays of the fish, shells, and other life that thrive there.Visitors can dive into the Mediterranean’s vibrant marine life, spotting darting silver fish, graceful dolphins, and a variety of invertebrates unique to the region.The insect collection is just as impressive, featuring local beetles, rare European butterflies, and exotic species from far-off places.The museum explores how insects shape the ecosystem, from pollinating crops to influencing local wildlife, and its displays bring Malta’s landscapes to life-coastal cliffs bright with wild thyme, rugged garigue, and shady woodland trails.You’ll find details on how these habitats have changed over time-along with the marks humans have left on them-and the National Museum of Natural History blends hands-on exhibits and clear explanations to engage visitors of every age.Alongside its permanent exhibits, the museum invites you to tap fossils, peer through microscopes, and join hands-on programs that bring the island’s natural wonders to life.The museum offers workshops, guided tours, and lectures on Malta’s natural environment, and sometimes it brings in special exhibits-like a display of rare seashells-to highlight topics such as climate change, conservation, and environmental protection.All of this unfolds inside the Vilhena Palace, a striking Baroque landmark that deepens the sense of history the moment you step through its heavy wooden doors.The palace’s architecture showcases Maltese Baroque at its finest-ornate stone carvings curl along symmetrical facades, and sunlight spills into wide, airy rooms.The museum fills several floors here, each one devoted to a different corner of natural history.The palace’s gardens offer a quiet retreat, where you can gaze out over the rolling countryside of Mdina and Rabat.The museum’s usually open daily, though hours can change-especially on public holidays or during special events.Check ahead for the latest details before you go.Admission’s just a small fee, helping keep the museum and its displays in good shape.You’ll find it in Mdina, a historic city of cobbled, winding lanes and uneven, uphill paths.The museum’s easy to reach, but once you step outside, uneven cobblestones and steep curbs can make the city tough for visitors with mobility challenges.Plan ahead for accessibility needs so your visit goes smoothly.The museum runs guided tours in several languages, offering richer stories about the exhibits and the natural history of Malta-like the scent of old limestone in the palace halls.In the end, the National Museum of Natural History at Vilhena Palace remains a treasure for anyone curious about Malta’s natural heritage.The museum’s collections draw you into the island’s story, from the bones of ancient reptiles to the rustle of palms in today’s coastal forests.Whether you love hiking through quiet forests, diving into the past, or giving your kids a hands-on lesson in history, you won’t want to miss the museum in Mdina.With its rich exhibits, hands-on activities, and grand stone arches, the palace is a stop worth making for anyone visiting Malta.
