When the late Mgr. Joseph Zarb was appointed Parish Priest of Zabbar in 1943, he quickly realised how rich the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces was in terms of historical artefacts.  Being a researcher and a scholar, he sadly became aware that many precious objects such as banners, sails, anchors, weapons, slave chains, model ships, church vestments, altar fronts and votive paintings, all listed in old inventories, were now lost forever, most probably due to neglect and underestimation of their importance. 

These were all offerings to Our Lady of Graces from people coming from all walks of life, from poor peasants to popes.  To halt the unintentional destruction of more precious patrimony, Mgr Zarb thought of building a Museum to house and preserve what remained.  His dream came true in 1954 when the Sanctuary Museum was opened to the public.  Up to this day, it remains the only building in Malta which was purposely built to house a museum. 

Throughout the last 51 years, no more artefacts have been lost, indeed the collection has grown by donations from devout and public spirited persons.  Along the years more exhibition space was created but still the Museum was too crammed.  About 15 years ago, serious faults developed in the top floor ceiling.  In spite of several attempts, the damage could not be contained and a decision was taken to replace the roof.  The opportunity was taken to modernise and expand the exhibition area and make the place more accessible to people with special needs.  The Parish Priest of Zabbar at that time, Father Anton Cassar was the driving force behind the completion of the structural changes. The costly operation took two years to complete and the Museum opened its doors again in September 2003.  Although the facade was not touched, the Museum's interior is now entirely different from what it used to be. The main new feature of the Musem is a massive elevated platform (gallerija) erected on the first floor to facilitate better viewing of high hanging paintings.  Further furnishing and displays are in progress.

The most important exhibits of the Museum are a large number of votive paintings, the majority connected with the sea and the Knights of St. John.  Other exhibits include sedan chairs, portable altar, unique large painting of the Gran Carracca Sant Anna, model ship of the line (1767), former titular paintings, religious paintings, medieval frescoe, complete ceremonial suit of armour, statues, silverware, documents, coins, medals, sculptured wooden fixtures from the ship R.M.S. Alcantara, plague hearse (1813), large Maltese clock mechanism (1753) and an exhibition on the R.A.F. Vulcan Bomber which exploded over Zabbar in 1975.

The paintings include works by Rocco Buhagiar, Gian Nicola Buhagiar, Rafel Bonnici Cali, Michele Busuttil, Tousaint Busuttil, Giuseppe Cali, Giuseppe Maria Caruana, Gian Battista Conti, Giuseppe D'Arena, Stefano Erardi, Rafael Gagliardi, Tommaso Madiona, Mattia Preti, Italo Horatio Serge, Filippo Venuti and Francesco Zahra.

The Museum is Church owned and is run by a commission of eight members and a small group of unpaid volunteers who keep the place open to the public daily seven days a week from 09.00 to 12.00. A donation by visitors will be appreciated.  All donations are spent on restoration, new furniture and upkeep.

Museum Helpers:

Lucy Axiaq                   Joseph Grech                  Frances Sciberras   

Jane  Bugelli                 Frances Guzman            Frances Sciberras 

Carmen Buhagiar         Lawrence Hiili                 Antonia Spiteri               

Mary Grace Butters     Tessie Lombardo             Joseph Vella  

Katie Calleja                Mario Micallef                  Nathalie Xuereb  

Jane Cassar               Tessie Psaila                     Mary Zammit

Noemi Espositi            Tessie Psaila Zammit                                

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