A museum on life in Malta being developed at Couvre Porte in Vittoriosa by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will be opened on 15 April, 70th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta.

The museum will show what life in Malta was like during the second world war, using advanced technology to give visitors an interactive experience.

Fair Competition Minister Jason Azzopardi yesterday visited the Malta at War Museum site, which was passed to FWA under a guardianship deed last year. Works costing €500,000 obtained from the European Regional Development Fund were taken in hand.

The site, Dr Azzopardi said, was symbolic – Cottonera was the part of Malta that was the main aim of air attacks during the war. He praised FWA, an NGO which was administering so well money obtained from the EU.

FWA president Mario Farrugia said the project started in 2004 after talks with Vittoriosa local council. EU funds were obtained in 2008 to refurbish and enlarge the Malta at War Museum so that it would incorporate the first storey of the Couvre Porte Barracks.

When completed, Mr Farrugia said, the museum will have no fewer than 5,000 original artefacts for visitors to see. They will include a horse drawn cab, two anti-aircraft guns, an anti-aircraft searchlight, small armaments, munitions, bombs, uniforms, tools, medals and other objects.