Located on Ġoma Street, Riħ id-Deheb is a historic house and museum featuring diverse collections and serving as a venue for cultural events. Dubbed “a house for artists and thinkers,” Riħ id-Deheb boasts a rich history dating back to prehistoric times.
The oldest part of the house is the natural grotto situated beneath it. Żebbuġ is renowned for its natural caves, formed millions of years ago through water erosion dissolving the softer rock beneath the Upper Coralline limestone layer.
The cave beneath Riħ id-Deheb is among several found in the Ponta area of Żebbuġ. It is possibly the cave referenced in the 1592 pastoral visit report by Bishop Tomás Gargallo to Gozo. The bishop noted visiting the nearby Church of St. Andrew and a cave. This now-lost church was likely located at the corner of St. Andrew Street and Ġoma Street, just meters from the original cave entrance. Gargallo described the church as lacking an altar and any paintings. Historian Horatio C. R. Vella suggests that “the church still exists in the form of an underground cave in Ġoma Street.”
At some point, the natural grotto at Riħ id-Deheb was repurposed as a mill. Fragments of an ancient stone mill and parts of lava grinding stones remain within the cave. Another historic feature of Riħ id-Deheb is the semi-basement built atop the cave’s roof, referred to in archival documents as “The Cow’s Room.” This arched chamber, constructed in the local vernacular tradition, features thick walls of rubble and limestone blocks.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the house was owned by Antonio and Carmela Cini, known by the nickname Tas-Sempri. Documents in the National Archives (Gozo Section) indicate that in 1926, Antonio applied to construct several first-floor rooms, while the semi-basement had already been completed. Cini later emigrated to Australia, leaving Carmela to raise their three children: Antonio, Joseph, and Mary. Mary married Joseph Cassar, and their son Saviour, after marrying Josephine née Hili in 1974, took residence in the house that same year. Saviour made significant modifications, including the addition of an arched hall on the first floor leading to an arched veranda overlooking Ġoma Street. Following the passing of both Saviour and Josephine in 2022, their son, artist, art educator, and collector Mario Cassar (b. 1975), inherited the house.
In recent years, Cassar has transformed his ancestral home into a centre for research and study in art and culture. Scholars and university students have visited to explore its diverse collections, which span fine art, antiques, antique lace, Melitensia, naturalia, archival materials, and ethnographic artifacts. The art collection features works by some of Malta’s most prominent 20th-century artists. Cassar, a dedicated collector for over 25 years, attributes his passion for history and collecting to his father, Saviour.
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Cassar systematically organized his collections and began decorating the house’s main hall. Drawing inspiration from Baroque Maltese ceiling decorations, the hall’s painting integrates modern and pop symbols, creating a unique, universal artwork. It was also during this time that the house was formally named Riħ id-Deheb.
The house’s curatorial vision draws inspiration from the Vittoriale degli Italiani, the residence of Italian poet Gabriele d’Annunzio, and from Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico. Mario Cassar’s poetic engagement with objects and their histories renders Riħ id-Deheb a truly distinctive venue.
For the first time in centuries, in 2023, the natural grotto underwent a full survey and digital scan using Theodolite technology. The scan revealed the intricate integration of the house with the natural cave formation. Findings suggest that the cave was likely discovered in the 15th or 16th century, leading to the creation of an entrance and rock-cut steps connecting to what is now Ġoma Street. The natural grotto is designated for cultural use, including theatre, art, music, and gastronomy. Adjacent to the house, Gallery 25 serves as an exhibition space dedicated to the art of Mario Cassar and both local and international artists.
For more information about Riħ id-Deheb, kindly contact Mario and Pauline Cassar on (+356) 7956 6274, email [email protected], or follow on Instagram @rih_id_deheb.
Research: Mario Cassar
Copyright: Soċjeta’ Banda Santa Marija and Żebbuġ Gozo Local Council
Photo credits: Mario Cassar
Acknowledgements: Photos and original documents are being reproduced by courtesy of Riħ id-Deheb Historical House and Natural Grotto.
