Exciting news for history enthusiasts - the local collector Paul Zammit has just made an incredible donation of historic artifacts to Heritage Malta, and they’re going to be displayed at the famous Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta! This is one of the biggest donations ever received by the national collection, dating all the way back to 1903 when the Museum Administration Committee was first set up.

The collection spans from the 16th to the 18th century and includes all sorts of amazing items like furniture, paintings, tapestries, and damask fabrics. Some highlights are a rare set of two cabinets and a bureau, an armchair from the time of the Great Siege, and two 17th-century tapestries featuring biblical scenes. These tapestries were even sent to Belgium for restoration, along with other tapestries from the Palace that started getting treated last year.

Most of the donated pieces come from Malta, but there are also items from Italy, France, and England. The collection will be spread across seven different spaces in the Palace, making it even more exciting for visitors and adding to the national collection.

Noel Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta, shared his gratitude for Paul’s generous gift, saying it brings a fresh boost of energy to the agency. 'Donations like these fill Heritage Malta with renewed energy – not just because they are strong exhibits of trust in the agency’s work, but also because they assist in fulfilling its mission to preserve, conserve, and make our cultural heritage accessible.'

Paul Zammit, for his part, said donating these artifacts to the Grandmaster’s Palace just felt like the right thing to do. He’s happy that they’ll continue to inspire visitors and researchers for years to come and hopefully inspire others to follow suit.

A big thank you to Paul for this amazing contribution!