We wandered by this hidden gem several times when we were out and about in the charming village of Nadur, only to find it closed. The museum’s hours are minimal, but it is well worth the repeated effort to step inside, discover a treasure trove of artifacts honoring maritime history, and learn more about the man who collected items highlighting the fascinating maritime history of Gozo and far beyond.
The Kelinu Grima Maritime Museum may now belong to the parish of St. Peter and St. Paul, located in the friendly village of Nadur, but it was founded by a passionate man who loved being both a primary school teacher and lifetime collector of naval maritime items—acquiring several hundred, maybe even thousands, of pieces of history over the span of 65-plus years. When he began to advance in age, he left the compilation of artifacts to the parish. This location was the perfect place to act as a caretaker, welcoming folks around the globe into the unique museum.
From what we could gather, Kelinu Grima was excited to obtain and eventually display this extensive assortment of naval uniforms, photographs, newspaper clippings on the Titanic, numerous vessel parts, and even a priceless, authenticated piece from the HMS Victory ship, on which the skilled British Admiral Lord Nelson sailed. The Victory was at the Battle of Trafalgar and is today considered the oldest naval vessel still in commission. I wasn’t aware of that battle, but the docent on duty the day we visited explained it was important in that it established British naval supremacy for over 100 years and shattered Napoleon’s plans to invade England. So, viewing a piece of that vital story here was pretty impressive. Timber from the first US warship to hit the Seven Seas, The Constitution, is also under the museum's roof. (Can you say wow?) These are only a few of the items visitors can see up-close-and-personal while there.
Standing outside the building, the museum appeared small. But once inside, my friends and I were pleasantly surprised to study so many significant objects spread throughout four large rooms, often referred to as ‘halls.’ At one time, the building was the Parish House. It ceased functioning as a Parish House after the last Archpriest, who was not from the village, passed away in 1950. Soon after, Grima’s items began to find a home there. The collection is imposing, but then again, so was Kelinu Grima’s dedication to showcasing the island’s seafaring traditions and the essential role the sea has played in the local culture over the centuries. Believe it or not, Grima stored these treasures in his home before acquiring this location. The structure, built in 1881, was inaugurated by the minister of Gozo, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, as Nadur’s maritime museum on June 19th, 1999.
One standout exhibit was the museum’s fantastic collection of model ships. Each one has been meticulously crafted and depicts several periods throughout naval history. There’s even a model of the Calypso, the one French researcher Jacques Cousteau sailed. I watched his show with my sisters while growing up in Massachusetts, back in the States, and was thrilled to see a smaller version here in Malta. I thought all of the models were very interesting—they raised questions, told a story, and offered insights into the Maltese connection and significance as a maritime power. They also drew attention to the painstaking laser focus of the people who built them.
Kelinu Grima had shown a keen interest in maritime history from his youth. Docents at the museum fondly talked about how he would wander down to the water’s edge to greet the ships. They spoke about the captains who would give him souvenirs from their travels, which he was thrilled to receive. I’m sure he was all eyes and ears, listening to them share the places they’d been and things they had seen on their travels. His extraordinary private collection began in the 1930s, with a piece here and another there, eventually including items that spanned multiple continents and 300-plus years.
No matter what you might be interested in naval-wise, this place might be the ticket. It has flags from many countries, items from WWI and WWII, china and silverware, military medallions, local ex-votos related to the sea, and even items related to the local ferries between Gozo and Malta. Everywhere you look, there are glass cases displaying naval memorabilia. It’s a history lover’s dream-come-true space in the heart of Nadur.
What a story – A British ocean liner sinks in the early morning hours of April 15th, 1912, due to striking an iceberg at 23:40 hours April 14th, four days into her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, back in the US. A ship that was said to be unsinkable sank.
What a movie. I saw it several times, hysterically crying during the emotional scenes pointing to the over 1,500 lives lost and the mere 706 souls saved from the ocean’s frigid waters. The graphic movie scenes portraying the collision between a massive ship measuring 883 feet long, 92 feet wide, and 52,310 long tons and such an enormous piece of nature were realistic and horrifying. The fear etched on people’s faces merely acting on screen was so raw and emotional that I was wrecked for days. All movie-goers were.
When I caught sight of the Titanic 2nd Class Menu for April 14th and the aged newspaper article describing what happened that terrible night, I cried again. I wondered who gave these crucial pieces of history to Kelinu. I tried to imagine how he felt when he held them in his hands. I didn’t know the answer to either curiosity, but I was grateful they were displayed in the museum for us to see.
It's well worth investing an hour or so out of your day to view what Grima carefully curated during his life and left for the generations after him. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend a self-guided tour and conversation with the museum volunteers who genuinely care about sharing the island’s history with the world.
If you plan to visit, here’s what you need to know:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
They may close for lunch
Bus:
If you decide on public transportation, take bus number 303 from Victoria to Nadur. The bus is my favorite mode of travel in Malta, and it is very reliable and cheap! It will take about 30 minutes. When you arrive at the Nadur bus terminus, you can walk to the museum, which is nearby. You can ask anyone in the village; they’ll point you in the right direction.
Taxi and Uber:
People can also hire a taxi or Uber from Victoria or anywhere nearby to Gozo. Both are readily available and reasonably priced. Make sure you confirm the fare with your driver before you accept the ride. They will take you right to the museum’s entrance.
The address is 27PV+V63, Dun B Harber, Nadur, Malta
The Phone Number is +356 2156 5226
Tours:
There may not be tours, per se, but the docents are knowledgeable and can walk you through the exhibits and answer any questions. (We had many!) You can tell that they are passionate about and grateful for such a robust collection in this seaside village. Check in on the website periodically; special events might be listed that you won’t want to miss.
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Theresa St. John is a freelance travel writer, photographer, and videographer based in Saratoga Springs, New York. She is interested in WWII history, museums, food, slavery, the Underground Railroad, interviewing interesting people, restaurant reviews, local travel, anything ghost-related, and the Erie Canal, among other things. Theresa loves to travel and sinks her feet into the moments of places she visits. Her photography essays, along with the written word, help tell the story to readers everywhere.