Gharb Folklore Museum, Island of Gozo, Malta

4Joseph T 5:00 PM Dec 14, 2016

History, culture and tradition
The ideal place where history, culture and tradition meet and one can experience ancestors' work at first hand. The museum is situated exactly in a lovely quiet square of Gharb, Gozo.

4HOS70 5:00 PM Oct 11, 2013

Highly enjoyable if you're interested in Gozo's olden times
During the hottest hours of the day, I decided to visit the Gharb Folklore Museum once more. Being a regular visitor to Gozo, I had last visited three years ago. This privately owned museum is located in a very old town house, where a multitude of small rooms surround a small central courtyard. I love Gozitan architecture and like to visit the Museum just to see the building again. I also like visiting because I'm interested in Gozo's olden times. The Museum's collection dedicates individual rooms to individual, small scale, local industries such as candle and lace making, milling and blacksmithing, and so on. Leaving this place, you will have gained a good knowledge of the tools, machinery and techniques of years gone by. You will see an old bread seller's cart, a petroleum seller's cart, a pastizzi vendor's beautiful, glazed hand cart and so on. One gorgeous but also sad exhibit is that of an old hearse, specifically sized and used for children's coffins last journey. I see some reviewers criticising the dusty, not exactly spotless state of the Museum. Hey, you are visiting an old house with old exhibits. In my opinion, a spotless condition would only take from the authentic feeling the Museum gives me. Yesterday, I was lucky to have been the only visitor at that time, a large group just having left the building. The lady from Sliema who owns the Museum, always friendly and chatty, can always be relied upon for explanations and information, if needed and wanted. Although I would recommend anyone with an interest in Gozitan life to visit this Museum, I do have to comment on pricing! Yesterday, I was charged a whopping 5 Euro to gain entry. Three years ago, it had merely been 2,50 Euro. I see from other recent reviews, that other visitors have also been charged according to the owner's mood or notion at time of entry. This taking advantage of visitors is what is giving this Museum a bad name. Nobody wants to be ripped off, least of all in such obvious manner. If you are reading this, lady owner, please take it as food for thought!