NEW GUIDED TOURS are now being offered of the Saluting Battery Museum housed in the former St. George's Garrison Church Crypt [aka The Pit to 1960s TH-ers] below the present day Stock Exchange. Tours are available Monday to Saturday at 1100, 1300 and 1400 hrs. The tour leaves from the saluting battery and takes one round the underground crypt whose origins go back to 1570 when it was used as a defensive flanking battery, part of the demi-bastion of SS. Peter and Paul. The new museum tells the story of the Malta time-gun which was fired precisely at noon from the saluting battery between 1824 and 1923. It served as an accurate time signal for mariners to regulate ship chronometers which they would later rely on to find longitude at sea.
The museum holds a rich collection of historical and artistic artefacts connected with the history of the saluting battery, time, navigation, gunpowder and artillery including most of the types of cannon which were once mounted at the saluting battery. There are also military badges, uniforms, documents, maritime navigational instruments and Malta's last time ball which was hoisted above the Auberge de Castile until 1923 to signal mid-day along with the noonday gun. Admission costs €6 per adult and €3 for children under 16 years. Tickets can be bought at the Saluting Battery. No prior booking is necessary.