The Museum of Natural Science in Gozo is one of four museums operated by Heritage Malta in the Gozo Citadel, Victoria. As a building, it is housed in a cluster of three different units, that seem to have been constructed during the 17th century, although their fabric incorporates some earlier architectural elements. In addition, the landscaped area at the back of the complex was originally another separate domestic unit.
During the 19th century, structural alterations were carried out to these domestic units, mainly to join the whole into one single complex. The building was turned into one of the earliest known inns on the island of Gozo, an establishment that was reputed to be clean and comfortable, offering good food and charging moderate prices. During World War II, this same building housed various Maltese families seeking refuge in Gozo from the enemy’s raids.
The museum collection is divided into eight sections, five of which are at ground floor level and the remaining three at first floor level.
The main hall seems to have been built as a mule-driven mill, as suggested by the square plan of the room and corresponding concave recesses along the side-walls. To this effect, the small room at the rear must have served the purpose of a stable. This unit was separate from the now adjoining buildings on either side.
The hall is dedicated to the geology of Gozo and explains the sedimentary strata making up the Maltese Islands. In addition, a number of plant and animal fossils from these strata are on display, together with examples of the various uses of different sedimentary rock layers by local inhabitants throughout the seven millennia of permanent human settlement on the Islands. Items from the fossil collection formed part of the personal collection of Can. Gian Franceso Agius de Soldanis (1712-1770), the well-known Gozitan historiographer.
The centrepiece is a selection of local stalactites and stalagmites.
To the right of the entrance hall one enters a formerly separate domestic unit that now houses the marine section. Worth noting is the ribbed barrel vault that implies that this space was originally the entrance hall of a previous building. This domestic unit originally led to a small terrace on the first floor. On display one may examine a selection of dried local fish, seashells, shellfish and crustaceans together with a selection of seashells and corals mainly from the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The small room at the back of the entrance hall features a simplified version of the process of human evolution.
Still on ground floor level, to the left of the main hall, one may study an interesting selection of minerals from various parts of the world. These are housed within a formerly separate domestic unit which incorporates an interesting feature on its left hand wall. This is an arched door and an adjacent partly blocked arched recess that belonged to an earlier building dating from the early 16th century. A good part of the mineral collection was donated by the Gozitan traveller and scholar Dr Lewis F. Mizzi CMG (1847-1935). The minerals are grouped into water-made rocks (limestone), igneous and metamorphic rocks (volcanic), ores (natural mineral aggregates rich in metal) and crystals and quartz (precious and semi-precious stones).
Of great interest to this museum’s collection is the fragment of a moonstone donated to the Maltese People by former US President Richard Nixon
following the Apollo 11 expedition in 1969. The small Maltese flag accompanying the moonstone travelled to the moon and back in the same lunar expedition.
A stone staircase leads up to two terraces that originally belonged to the central building and the right-hand unit respectively. At the very back of the entire complex one reaches the garden area, that is presently being renovated and embellished with local garigue flora, and will also serve as a recreational area linked to organised educational visits and activities.
The collection at first floor level is largely dedicated to ornithology and entomology. The former section displays a collection of stuffed migratory birds, most species of which are now safeguarded following the environment protection laws put in force in 1993. Of particular interest is a specimen of the Mediterranean form of the Peregrine Falcon, which used to nest in the Maltese Islands. Since antiquity, this majestic bird of prey was trapped and trained for hunting practices.
The entomological section consists of numerous specimens of beetles, butterflies and moths. Dried examples of local insects and butterflies are shown in the hanging showcases, while related specimens from other countries are shown in the table showcases. The room that houses this collection was used as a delivery room in the past, and features an interesting small arched recess.
The remaining room is dedicated to the ecosystems of the Maltese Islands. Included in the display is a model of the Dwejra area and related flora, in particular Malta’s national plant – the Maltese Rock Centaury – and the famous “fungus” cynomorium coccineum, after which Fungus Rock at Dwejra takes its name. This is a parasitic plant that, during the time of the Order of St John, was believed to have had therapeutic effects.
Since last September, the museum display has been improved after the procurement and installation of a set of modern showcases, and visitors can now enjoy a better and more easily understood display.
The Museum of Natural Science is one of six Heritage Malta sites on the island of Gozo that are open to the public. It is open from Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm). Visitors may purchase a Cittadella Day Ticket for Lm2 (e5) and also visit the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Old Prison and the Folklore Museum.
For further information telephone 2155-6153, 2156-4188 or visit www.heritage malta.org.
Article provided by Heritage Malta