L-Għar u Casa - Mellieha

L-Għar u Casa, Mellieħa – Between Shelter and Stigma

L-Għar u Casa, located in Mellieħa, Malta, is a remarkable example of troglodyte (cave) dwellings that were once common across the Maltese Islands. The name blends the Maltese word “Għar” (cave) with the Italian “Casa” (house), reflecting Malta’s layered cultural heritage. Over time, the phrase “Għar u Casa” evolved into the Maltese term “għarukaża” — a word now meaning “disgrace,” perhaps echoing historical views of cave living as primitive or shameful.

This site invites reflection on how necessity, survival, and perception have shaped human shelter through time.