The area around Fort St. Angelo on Vittoriosa Wharf houses the
Victualling Yard Complex and its ancillary Naval Bakery. These were
constructed in 1842 on an old slipway, on which the Knights repaired and
refitted their galleys.
The Victualling Yard was intended for the storage of wheat; the
Bakery for the production of the garrison's bread and other wheat products.
After the war, bread for the forces began to be provided from other
sources, and the Victualling Yard and Bakery were converted into stores and
offices until their final closure in 1979.
The Naval Bakery building has now been restored and refurbished for
use as a Maritime Museum, in which to preserve relics from the past and new
acquisitions connected with the Maritime traditions of these islands.
The Maltese and Gozitan people have been fishermen and seafarers
for many years. They have manned the galleys of the Knights on trading
operations and during the frequent engagements with corsairs and Ottoman
Turks.
In more recent years, thousands of Maltese and Gozitan seamen have
served on British naval and mercantile ships throughout the world. The
Maritime Museum is, therefore, a fitting tribute to the people of this
seafaring nation.
The Museum has spacious halls in which a range of exhibits are
displayed, These are all concerned with Maltese and Mediterranean maritime
history and traditions. The main exhibits include naval paintings and
prints, models of galleys, ships and fishing boats, nautical instruments,
weapons and other items relating to seafaring activities. Special sections
are dedicated to underwater archaeology, shipbuilding, the Navy of the
Order of St. John, the Malta Customs and Maltese traditional boats.
Visitors to the Museum can explore the large Victorian building - a
reminder of the British Empire - and also admire the exciting array of
equipment and mementos that illustrate the maritime lore and heritage of
the Maltese people.
