National Museum of Natural History

Mdina


Housed in the elegant Palazzo de Vilhena is an interesting – if old-school fusty – array of displays. Of particular note is the geology section, which explains the origins of Malta's landscape and displays the wide range of local fossils. The tooth belonging to the ancient shark Carcharodon megalodon is food for thought – measuring 18cm on the edge, it belonged to a 25m monster that prowled the Miocene seas 30 million years ago.

The skeletal anatomy room is also interesting, and includes the delicate filigree bones of a snake.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mdina attractions

1. Mdina Dungeons

0.01 MILES

Gruesome waxworks devoted to horrible historical practices may give older kids and teenagers a grisly thrill.

2. Corte Capitanale

0.02 MILES

The former Court of Justice. The figures on the balcony represent Justice and Mercy.

5. Casa Inguanez

0.05 MILES

The ancient seat of Malta's oldest aristocratic family, who've lived here since the 14th century.

7. Casa Testaferrata

0.07 MILES

The residence of the Marquis of San Vincenzo Ferreri, a member of the Maltese nobility. The title was created by King Philip V of Spain and donated to the…

8. Cathedral Museum

0.08 MILES

The Cathedral Museum's outstanding highlight is a series of woodcut and copperplate prints and lithographs by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer…

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