Malta Time-Gun Museum

07/10/2026

THE MASCOLI D'ALLEGREZZA

Petards, apart from being an early form of cannon, were used to fire salutes on feasts and other important occasions. In essence, were iron or brass cylinders with an open chamber. Much like a cannon, a vent was used to ignite powder inside the barrel. However, these petards were only used to make sound and visual display using granular gunpowder.

Their origin can be traced back to early breech-loading cannons in the 16th century. By the 1600s, petards were used to fire naval salutes instead of the cannon onboard vessels or in fortifications to save gunpowder.

In the Italian sphere of influence and Malta, they were referred to as Mascoli d'Allegrezza. Other names include maschi, mortaretti, and trombini. In the Maltese language, the term 'masklu' is the most frequently used. Historically, they were the predecessors of fireworks as we know them today.

Curious to learn more? The Time Gun Museum in Valletta is open Monday to Saturday, forming part of museum network managed by Wirt Artna.

06/07/2026

Did you know there is artillery in the heart of Valletta?

Just outside the Barracca gardens and below the Malta Stock Exchange lies a collection of artillery pieces, some of which are not found anywhere else on the island. The museum is also home to uniforms and instruments used in their operation throughout history. Most importantly, the Time-Gun Museum tells the story of time signalling using cannon and other means at the Saluting Battery and Malta in general.

It is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of artillery in Malta, open every day except Sunday between 9:30 and 17:30. The entrance ticket includes access to the Saluting Battery. Both sites are managed by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, the Malta Heritage Trust.

23/04/2026

Do something absolutely unique - become a gunner at the Saluting Battery in Valletta and fire the daily time-gun at noon and evening gun at 16.00hrs besides taking part in full-gun ceremonial gun salutes. Apply: [email protected]

Saluting Battery advertises gunner vacancies

07/04/2026

VACANCY - Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is looking to employ on full or part-time basis a number of gunners to fire the guns at the Saluting Battery in Valletta during public displays. Employment hours are from 9.30am till 4.30pm. Interested parties are to send their CV by email only: to [email protected]. A valid working permit is necessary.

23/02/2026

29/01/2026

On Tuesday 10 February 2026 at 12.00hrs, a full-gun salute will be fired from the guns of the Saluting Battery in Valletta to mark St. Paul's Day. This annual event will evoke the centuries-old tradition when key religious festivals were marked with artillery fire from the fortresses. This tradition pre-dates the Order of St. John, was interrupted by the Republican French and was resumed by the British until the outbreak of the Second World War. By the mid-19th century artillery salutes were increasingly replaced by petard firing espescially in the case of minor religious festivals. Originally, there were over 100 such occasions on which artillery salutes were requested by the Church but after 1824 these were reduced to 24 to be increased slightly later. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna has restored this tradition in the early 2000's and as since fired two full-gun salutes on the occasion of St. Paul's Day (10 Feb) and Victory Day (Marija Bambina - 8 Sep). This public event is kindly supported by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Bank of Valletta.

20/01/2026

Due to adverse weather conditions, the Saluting Battery, Malta Time-Gun Museum, Lascaris War Rooms, War H.Q., and St Peter’s Galleries will remain closed today.