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Ta' Qali
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Just before World War II, large tracts of arable land at Ta' Qali, near Mosta, were taken over to build a military aerodrome and an R.A.F. Station. This station has now been closed for many years and the area has been transformed into a National Park, Aviation Museum, Stadium & Crafts Village.
Crafts Village
Several buildings and hissen huts have been converted into small workshops and souvenir boutiques, to create what is now the Ta' Qali Handicrafts Village.
The Village is a big tourist attraction as one can see Maltese craftsmen at work and view the product of their handiwork. Blown glass, gold, silver and filigree ware, ceramics, ironwork, knitwear, and other goods are on sale at the souvenir outlets.
The Malta Aviation Museum
The Malta Aviation Museum is situated on the former airfield of Ta'Qali, or as it was known by the Royal Air Force Takali, a mere 200 meters away from the Crafts Village.
On display there are 13 aircraft which include a Spitfire IX which saw action from Takali during the invasion of Sicily in 1943, a Hurricane, Swordfish, Tiger Moth, 2 DC3 Dakotas, Sea Hawk, Vampire, Sea Venom, Fiat G91, Beech 18, cockpit sections of a BAC Lightning and BAC 1-11, vehicles and motorcycles and memorabilia related to the history of aviation in Malta. The collection is housed in two 200ft long Romney huts and a newly built hangar.
A visit to the museum normally takes a minimum of an hour and half.
National Stadium
Ta' Qali Stadium is the national stadium of Malta. It was built in 1980 and in 1981 it became Malta's national football stadium replacing the Empire Stadium. It stages top local league and cup matches, as well as international matches. The stadium seats 17,000, although for concerts can accommodate up to 35,000 people (with standing on the pitch). Although small by International standards, it is the largest stadium in Malta.
Ta' Qali National Park
The National Park includes an area that is frequented by hundreds of families whose children can play in the ample space during sunny days in winter and spring-time. The park also includes an amphitheatre, and a number of international concerts are staged at the Park. Artists who have performed there include Status Quo, Deep Purple, Fish, Iron Maiden, Demis Roussos, Alannah Myles, Bonnie Tyler and many others.
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