After extensive restoration works carried out by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna at the Lascaris War Rooms supported by The Lottery Fund and the Bank of Valletta following the government's decision to entrust this historical site to the well known NGO back in 2005, Lascaris War Rooms in Lascaris Ditch, Valletta has now been partially opened to the public and are due to officially open their doors on the 9th September 2010.The Lascrais War Rooms complex originates from the early stages of WW2 when an old communications tunnel running across under the Upper Barracca Gardens from Battery Street to the Valletta Main Ditch was converted into a Sector Operations Room by the Royal Engineers for Royal Air Force use. From here the movements of enemy aircraft could be tracked and plotted on a large map to facilitate air and ground defence coordination. With the intensity of the war, more space was excavated to make more room underground for communications and radar tracking facilities. Late in 1940, the Royal Navy war room at Fort St. Angelo made its way to this complex along with that of thw artillery's anti-aircraft defence. The coast artillery room remained where it was in the crypt under the then Garrison Church now the Exchange Building at Castille Place, Valletta.During this period, the situation under the Upper Barracca was described as crammed and unbearable. This led to the authorities to convert a massive underground tunnel across from the Lascaris Tunnel in the Main Ditch into a new and modern war room complex. This tunnel was originally excavated by the Royal Engineers as an underground dormitory for those working at the War Rooms. The long tunnel allowed for the placing of all necessary operation rooms parallel to each other supported by as many offices as necessary. Each one of them was provided with a separate entrance to preserve secrecy. In the new war room complex there were an Operations Room for each of the following along with a Filter Room for the sifting of radar traffic and a Combined Operations Room for all services: Royal Navy, Anti-aircraft Artillery, Royal Air Force and a Combined Operations Room. The new complex opened for business in February 1943 in time for Operation Husky - the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The new Lascaris War Rooms served as the joint Allied HQ under the Command of the US General Eisenhower. Assisting him were Generals Montgomery and Alexander, Admiral Cunningham and Air Marshal Tedder in command of the allied navies and air forces respectively.For more information or group bookings visit www.wirtartna.org or contact their head office on 21800992, 21803091 or email sales@wirtartna.org . Opening details: Daily 10.00 - 17.00hrs (Except New year's Day, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas Day)Location: Lascaris Ditch, Valletta which is accessible from Battery street adjacent to the upper barrakka gardens.Entrance Fees: €10 Adults€8 Pensioners and Students€5 Children u/16 yrs €25 Family group (2 Adults + 3 children u/16 yrs)€20 Heritage pass (Entry into 4 Attractions including transport for a discounted price of 30%)
After extensive restoration works carried out by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna at the Lascaris War Rooms supported by The Lottery Fund and the Bank of Valletta following the government's decision to entrust this historical site to the well known NGO back in 2005, Lascaris War Rooms in Lascaris Ditch, Valletta has now been partially opened to the public and are due to officially open their doors on the 9th September 2010.
The Lascrais War Rooms complex originates from the early stages of WW2 when an old communications tunnel running across under the Upper Barracca Gardens from Battery Street to the Valletta Main Ditch was converted into a Sector Operations Room by the Royal Engineers for Royal Air Force use. From here the movements of enemy aircraft could be tracked and plotted on a large map to facilitate air and ground defence coordination. With the intensity of the war, more space was excavated to make more room underground for communications and radar tracking facilities. Late in 1940, the Royal Navy war room at Fort St. Angelo made its way to this complex along with that of thw artillery's anti-aircraft defence. The coast artillery room remained where it was in the crypt under the then Garrison Church now the Exchange Building at Castille Place, Valletta.
During this period, the situation under the Upper Barracca was described as crammed and unbearable. This led to the authorities to convert a massive underground tunnel across from the Lascaris Tunnel in the Main Ditch into a new and modern war room complex. This tunnel was originally excavated by the Royal Engineers as an underground dormitory for those working at the War Rooms. The long tunnel allowed for the placing of all necessary operation rooms parallel to each other supported by as many offices as necessary. Each one of them was provided with a separate entrance to preserve secrecy. In the new war room complex there were an Operations Room for each of the following along with a Filter Room for the sifting of radar traffic and a Combined Operations Room for all services: Royal Navy, Anti-aircraft Artillery, Royal Air Force and a Combined Operations Room. The new complex opened for business in February 1943 in time for Operation Husky - the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. The new Lascaris War Rooms served as the joint Allied HQ under the Command of the US General Eisenhower. Assisting him were Generals Montgomery and Alexander, Admiral Cunningham and Air Marshal Tedder in command of the allied navies and air forces respectively.
For more information or group bookings visit www.wirtartna.org or contact their head office on 21800992, 21803091 or email sales@wirtartna.org .
Opening details: Daily 10.00 - 17.00hrs (Except New year's Day, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas Day)
Location: Lascaris Ditch, Valletta which is accessible from Battery street adjacent to the upper barrakka gardens.
Entrance Fees: €10 Adults
€8 Pensioners and Students
€5 Children u/16 yrs
€25 Family group (2 Adults + 3 children u/16 yrs)
€20 Heritage pass (Entry into 4 Attractions including transport for a discounted price of 30%)