Housed inside a group of interlinking building is a particular experience recounting the folklore of an individual society. For the past 5000 years, the inhabitants of Gozo have developed customs conditioned by the unique environment they lived in. The Grand Castello Historic House replicates life in a typical citadel palazzo and narrates some of these traditions
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Gran Castello Historic House - facadeGran Castello Historic House
It hosts a wide range of exhibits illustrating the local domestic, rural and traditional ways of life.
Gran Castello Historic House - facade Architectural 16th century featureGran Castello Historic House
The interconnected houses hosting the museum were probably built around the early 16th century. The architectural features betray some Sicilian and Catalan influences and show knowledge of a sophisticated Late Gothic style.
Gran Castello Historic House - facade Gothic windowsGran Castello Historic House
Certainly, the houses belonged to wealthy families, as evidenced by the fine architectural features on the facade.
Fishing industry in Gozo fishing trapsGran Castello Historic House
These houses were rehabilitated as a museum in 1983.
The Collection
The traditional way of life of the local population is brought back to life with this array of material representations presented for public viewing in this museum.
Typical hisctorical house bedroomGran Castello Historic House
The museum, through artefacts typical of the era, recreates a typical historic house.
Agricultural traditional implementsGran Castello Historic House
Here, one finds various traditional implements used in agriculture rural trades and skills like agriculture and stone-masonry.
Traditional griding millGran Castello Historic House
Traditional mills were vital for the grinding of cereal and grains for the production of essential ingredients such as flour.
Traditional mill roomGran Castello Historic House
One substantial example occupies the center of a large reconstructed mill-room.
Traditional measures grainGran Castello Historic House
Different types of weights and scales were used in order to measure the heaviness of different objects comprising of varied material.
Traditional measures Grocer's scalesGran Castello Historic House
Due to the fact that the grocer was normally mobile, the use of hanging scales was a common practice to weigh dry goods.
Traditional measures liquidGran Castello Historic House
Liquid measuring equipment was used in order to determine capacities for a variety of different material varying from edible daily liquids such as milk to non consumable liquids such as fuel.
Religious feature in houseGran Castello Historic House
Religious devotions are normally sculpted in features inside houses in order to commemorate particular manifestations in line with pious traditions.
Lace-makingGran Castello Historic House
Lace making or Bizzilla is a tradition dating back to the Knights of St John and is one of Gozo’s precious crafts. The production is still alive and manufactured in local communities.
WeavingGran Castello Historic House
Weaving is one of the oldest crafts in the Maltese Archipelago. As early as prehistoric times the Maltese weavers were famous for their craftsmanship.
Fishing industry in Gozo fishing netsGran Castello Historic House
Many traditional fishermen in Gozo operate on a family basis and use fish nets for various types of fishing
Traditional fishing trapsGran Castello Historic House
Another unique craft is the weaving of fishing baskets locally known as nases tal-hut. Traps were traditionally woven and made with disa, a fine reed-like material.
