The 16th century palace was originally built for Don Pierro La Roca, a Knight of Malta. The owners, a noble Maltese family, still live in the Palazzo, but visitors are allowed during a day. Casa Rocca Piccola is authentic. There are not only works of art, old furniture and family portraits, but also unique artifacts collected for many generations. The house has its own the bomb shelter cut in the limestone, 30 m /100 ft. underground. During WWII, it provided protection not only to the house owners, but also to many neighbors. Up to 100 people was able to find safety here from the air raids.
The house has its own the bomb shelter cut in the limestone, 30 m /100 ft. underground. During WWII, it provided protection not only to the house owners, but also to many neighbors. Up to 100 people was able to find safety here from the air-raids.
When the war broke out in the Mediterranean, day and night the Maltese population experienced wailing sirens announcing air raids. In 1940-42 Malta was under constant German and Italian siege. People needed safe place to cover. Thousands of workers have dug hundreds of shelters that have served almost the entire population of the islands. It is hard to imagine life almost permanently underground. During World War II, there were 3,340 alarms in Malta, which lasted 2,357 hours in total. The peak was in April 1942, when 282 raids took place within one month.
Another example of Second World War shelters we found in St Paul's Catacombs.
