New & now
Thought-provoking photos of real shelters reveal what life was like in WWII Malta
It’s a sad scene…

Sarah Micallef 13th January 2020

Most of us can’t even begin to imagine the feeling of running for our lives, scrambling with our families, friends and neighbours into a hole in the ground, as air raid sirens wail overhead. We can’t imagine the fear our parents and grandparents must have felt, trembling with anticipation for the sound of bombs as they hit the ground overhead, wondering if they’d see the light of day again.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marina (@marinax94) on

We can’t imagine it because we’re lucky enough not to have been around to experience it, but thanks to the remnants of wartime Malta – like several air raid shelters that still lie beneath our feet – we can come close to imagining what it must have been like.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TRAVEL & INTERIORS with Pat 🌍✈ (@patrizia_madiona) on

These photos from some of Malta’s air raid shelters that you can still visit today paint a harrowing picture. Consisting of a labyrinth of chambers roughly cut into the ground, they’re suffocating to look at.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MeaningfulLifeTR (@meaningfullifetr) on

As ever, the Maltese would have gone out of their way to make their temporary surroundings as homey as possible, laying tiles on the ground and even hanging picture frames on the wall. After all, there’s no telling how long they’d have to remain in them at a stretch.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MeaningfulLifeTR (@meaningfullifetr) on

The shelters were also equipped with wash basins, crockery and enamel pots and pans to help Malta’s citizens prepare food and take care of their daily needs while sheltering from the onslaught above ground.

Have you visited any of Malta’s air raid shelters? They’re a real eye-opener.

13th January 2020



You may also like...
New & now
New & now
This is Ancient is followed by 1.1 million users on Instagram!

Lyndsey Grima
New & now

Lyndsey Grima
New & now
New & now
Pack your hats and sunscreen...next week’s a tough one!

Lyndsey Grima
New & now
New & now
From the airport to wherever you need to go!

GMM Team
New & now
New & now
The artist uses eye-tracking technology to digitally ‘redraw’ ship engravings found on Malta’s historic architecture.

Francesca Vella

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized ads or content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept", you consent to our use of cookies.

Accept Decline