In the charming Ġoma Street in Żebbuġ, Gozo, lies one of the island’s most evocative cultural spaces. Riħ id-Deheb is not just a house, nor simply a museum, but a living tapestry of history, art and Gozitan hospitality—layered above a natural grotto carved by water millions of years ago.
Stepping inside, visitors are immediately immersed in a world of colour and warmth. Hand-painted ceilings and richly decorated walls showcase artworks by Maltese masters, while the intimate atmosphere reflects a deep-rooted tradition of welcome and storytelling. What began as a private family home has, over generations, evolved into a unique cultural landmark.
The building’s story stretches back centuries. While alterations were made in the early 20th century by Antonio and Carmela Cini to the first-floor rooms dating from the early 1800s, the house itself is far older. Its semi-basement is believed to originate from the 18th century, while the primitive barrel vault and rock-cut staircase leading down to the cave may date as far back as the 16th century. The property later passed to Mary Cini and her husband Joseph Cassar, and in 1974 their son Saviour and his wife Josephine expanded the house with an arched hall and veranda overlooking the street.
Following Saviour and Josephine’s passing in 2022, the house was inherited by their son, artist and educator Mario Cassar. During the 2020 lockdown, Cassar undertook the meticulous cataloguing of the family collections and transformed the interior into a cohesive artistic vision. He personally hand-painted the hall ceiling with contemporary pop symbols, unifying the house into what he describes as his own gesamtkunstwerk—a total work of art. Today, Riħ id-Deheb also forms part of the Żebbuġ Heritage Trail, an EU-funded initiative highlighting Gozo’s most significant heritage sites.
Each room within Riħ id-Deheb reveals a carefully curated collection of paintings, drawings, sculpture, antique lace, rare books (Melitensia), natural specimens, archival material and ethnographic artefacts. The art collection includes works by renowned Maltese and international artists such as Edward Caruana Dingli, Esprit Barthet, Richard England, Gabriel Caruana, Victor Pasmore, Harry Alden and Josef Kalleya. The house has become a point of reference for scholars and students alike, admired for its thoughtful curatorial approach inspired by D’Annunzio’s Vittoriale degli Italiani and Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul. Cassar’s academic background in art, art history, Mediterranean civilisation and artistic pedagogy brings scholarly depth to this intimate setting.
Beneath the house, the natural grotto adds another extraordinary layer to Riħ id-Deheb’s story. Once used as a chapel and later as a mill, the cave still contains fragments of ancient stone grinding tools. Historical records suggest it is the same cave noted during a pastoral visit in 1592 by Bishop Tomás Gargallo, who wrote of visiting a large cave near the chapel of St Andrew. In 2023, the grotto was fully surveyed using modern scanning technology, revealing how seamlessly the house is integrated into the cave and supporting theories that it was first discovered in the 16th century.
Today, the cave serves as a dramatic venue for cultural events, including theatre, music, art and gastronomy. An adjoining space, Gallery 25, is set to host exhibitions featuring Cassar’s work alongside that of visiting artists, further extending Riħ id-Deheb’s role as a vibrant cultural hub.
Visitors are invited to discover this hidden gem for themselves. Updates and behind-the-scenes insights can be found on Riħ id-Deheb’s social media pages, while visits may be booked by contacting Mario and Pauline Cassar on (+356) 7956 6274 or via email at [email protected]. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history lover or simply curious to explore Gozo’s lesser-known treasures, Riħ id-Deheb offers an unforgettable journey into the island’s layered past and creative present.
