Step inside history! 8th September exhibition brings Malta's past to life 460 years after the Great Siege
The exhibition will be on display at the Grandmaster's Palace between 29th August and 14th September.
As Malta approaches the 460th anniversary since the end of the Great Siege, a new exhibition at the Grand Master’s Palace, Valletta will take visitors on a journey through three defining chapters of the nation’s history. ‘8 September: The First National Day’ invites the public to reflect on the triumph over the Ottomans in 1565, the French capitulation in 1800, and Italy’s armistice in 1943 during the Second World War – three moments that have helped shape Malta’s national identity.
Running from Friday 29th August to Sunday 14th September 2025 in the Palace’s historic Throne Room, the exhibition brings together a selection of artefacts from the national collection, many of which will be displayed side by side for the first time.
Highlights include:
- Original medals and coins from the era of the Great Siege.
- Engravings and frescoes by Perez d’Aleccio depicting dramatic scenes from the siege.
- Medals awarded to Maltese heroes following the French blockade.
- A handwritten sonnet penned by Maltese forces who fought against the French.
- A collection of items relating to Italy’s withdrawal from the Second World War.
Admission to the exhibition is included with a regular Grand Master’s Palace ticket, available both at the door and online via Heritage Malta.
If you’re curious about the moments that shaped Malta’s identity, there’s no better time to experience the nation’s past through its most treasured historical artefacts.
Will you be there?