Il-Ħaġar Heart of Gozo Museum

What makes it special

The permanent rooms hold precious artefacts from the heritage of St George's parish, the community of the basilica next door.

The composer Joseph Vella's archive takes in 156 original compositions, with sketches, CDs and memorabilia. The museum also hosts a memorial lecture in his name each year.

A newer arrival is the statue of San Ġorġ tal-Ħaġar, a roadside figure that stood as a landmark on the island for over a century before it was donated here. The statue recalls the Ħaġar, the old town of Gozo.

Temporary exhibitions change through the year, so what fills those rooms depends on when you come. Past shows have featured Emvin Cremona, Willie Apap and Anton Inglott.

Visiting

On the narrow, cobbled street beside St George's Basilica, the museum sits next to St George's Square.

Inside are a permanent collection, temporary exhibition spaces and audio-visual rooms. Start with the parish artefacts, then the exhibitions. Finish on the refurbished roof terrace bar, which looks over St George's Basilica, the Castello and Victoria's skyline to Gozo's rural landscape.

The museum is accessible to visitors with limited mobility, and facilities for those with special needs are being expanded. The building also hosts lectures, concerts, conferences and educational events through the year.

Tips

The displays draw on the heritage of the basilica's parish, so see St George's Basilica first and the parish rooms will mean more.

Afterwards, walk up to the Cittadella, the fortified hilltop town with museums and narrow streets. Central Victoria and the Cittadella are all walkable, so there is no need for a car or bus between them.