Tax-Xierfa Museum

Tax-Xierfa is a small museum with a big idea, and it welcomes visitors of all ages: to keep the farming life of Malta from being forgotten. It sits on Triq Santa Katarina in Rabat, close to the walled city of Mdina, and its rooms are set into rock, which gives the displays a cool, atmospheric backdrop.

The museum is listed among our museums in Malta. Rabat and its neighbour are covered in our Mdina guide, so a visit pairs naturally with a walk through the old capital. For a stay nearby, see hotels in Mdina and Rabat.

How the museum began

The museum was born from a wish to preserve Malta's agricultural heritage. A group of historians, cultural enthusiasts and local farmers imagined a space where traditions, tools and stories could come alive for future generations.

Over time, artefacts were gathered from rural communities across the island, such as tools worn smooth by generations, objects from family kitchens and symbols of the harvest. Craftsmen helped restore each piece. Today the museum celebrates Malta's rural identity and the stories of hard work, resilience and simple pleasures on the land.

Highlights of the collection

The Sienja, a traditional Maltese water pump, used a mule or donkey to turn wooden gears and chains and draw water from deep wells to irrigate the fields. The Maltese tomb, carved into the rock, is small and plain, reflecting the simplicity of life and death in past times.

The kitchen, with its stone walls and well-worn hearth, recalls meals cooked over open flames with ingredients fresh from the land. Together these scenes tell of a life tied to the seasons, the soil and the well. Elsewhere you find a wine press, farm tools, a vintage pick-up truck, crockery and a collection of everyday objects that show how rural families lived.

Mission and growth

The museum's mission is to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding of human history by preserving, studying and showing agricultural relics and their stories. It started as a small collection, led by historians, archaeologists and community members who saw the value of safeguarding old objects and the stories they carry.

Through excavations, donations and partnerships with other cultural institutions, the collection has grown considerably. Continued investment in research and conservation has turned it into a centre for historical education, and modern exhibits now include interactive elements and multimedia presentations that make the past easier to grasp for visitors of all ages.

The museum also accepts donations, which help fund educational programmes, exhibit maintenance and outreach projects. It has an education section on its website for schools and teachers.

A self-guided visit

There are no guided tours. Instead, QR codes placed around the displays unlock detailed information on each exhibit, so bring a smartphone and connect to the museum's free Wi-Fi. This lets you go at your own pace, and information desks and staff in the building can answer questions.

Facilities include Wi-Fi, QR code information points, seating areas, accessible parking and wheelchair access. If you need specific help with accessibility, contact the museum before you visit.

Opening hours and getting there

The museum is closed on Mondays. It opens Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Check for seasonal updates or closures before you travel. Tickets are bought at the museum.

Families may also like Adventure Hub, and museum fans can compare the Ħaġar Qim Archaeological Site. By bus, routes 182 and 53 stop within a short walk, heading towards Rabat. By car, free parking is available nearby, within walking distance of the entrance, with signs guiding you. For more ideas for your trip, see our things to do in Malta page, and use the Malta weather guide to choose the best month. For sand and sea, try Golden Bay or the best beaches in Malta. To ask a question, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message on.