The Auberge de Provence served as the official residence for knights from the Langue of Provence until the French occupation of Malta in 1798.
The Sleeping Lady figurine represents a burial practice associated with the temple period and is approximately 5,000 years old.
The museum contains evidence of the 'Temple Period,' during which the inhabitants constructed the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world.
Many of the items on display are original pieces retrieved from UNESCO World Heritage sites across Malta and Gozo.
The collection includes a range of personal ornaments, including pendants and beads made of shell, bone, and stone.
The National Museum of Archaeology is housed within the Auberge de Provence, a Baroque palace built in 1571 for the Order of St. John. The collection focuses on the Maltese archipelago's prehistoric periods, ranging from the Għar Dalam phase to the Tarxien period. Its most significant holdings include the Sleeping Lady, a terracotta figurine discovered at the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. The museum displays the Venus of Malta, an iconic representative of prehistoric fertility symbolism. Visitors can examine original megalithic temple carvings and decorative stone reliefs preserved from sites like Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. The facility provides chronological context for the temple building culture unique to the Maltese islands. The building itself serves as a historic artifact, featuring high ceilings and period architecture that influenced the presentation of the exhibits.
The ornate Grand Salon on the upper floor, which features original period architecture and frescoes.
Prioritize the ground floor exhibits which contain the most iconic prehistoric statues.
Check the museum's temporary exhibition space before starting your tour, as it often features rotating displays of recent archaeological findings.
The museum is relatively compact; combine your visit with a walk through the nearby city streets to see the architectural context of the capital.
Do not attempt to see all of Malta's archaeological sites in a single day; this museum is best viewed as a supplement to visiting the actual temple ruins.
Respectful behavior is required; flash photography is generally prohibited to protect sensitive prehistoric artifacts.
