Heritage Built in Stone
26 - 27 October
On the 26 and 27 October, Malta will be celebrating
European Heritage Days 2013. Admission to some historical properties will be
free or at reduced rates on these days. Some properties that are generally less
frequented or which are normally closed will also be opened for public
enjoyment.
‘Heritage Built in Stone’ is the national theme for the
2013 European Heritage Days. Stone is
one of the few natural resources found in the Maltese Islands. Stone has been
in use for millennia for construction and is still in great demand today,
providing a tangible testimony on the evolution of one aspect of Maltese
cultural tradition.
During European Heritage Days 2013 the pentagonal-shaped
Rihama coastal battery built by the Order of St John in the early eighteenth
century shall welcome visitors during this event. A Medieval Night and Banquet
will also be organised on Saturday evening in aid of the restoration of the
Battery. The Rihama Battery will be decorated and lit up with candle light and
fjakkoli offering a unique night view of this historic property.
The Mdina Cathedral Museum and the Haż-Żabbar Sanctuary
Museum will be waiving admission fees on Saturday. St John’s Co-Cathedral and
Museum will be opening for free on Saturday afternoon, whilst Palazzo Falson in
Mdina and Limestone Heritage will be reducing admission fees for the event.
The recently inaugurated Fortifications Interpretation
Centre shall also be opening its doors on Sunday 27 October. A temporary
exhibition ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ will be set up, presenting an insight on the
Restoration Directorate’s work. Visitors will have the opportunity to follow
talks on recent projects, view projections/feature films of completed works as
well as demos of exciting new technologies used in the field. Last but not
least, interactive children’s activities shall also be organised.
Another European Heritage Days highlight includes guided
tours at Casa Rocca Piccola followed by a glass of complementary Prosecco to
all visitors.
Properties under the management of the Gozitan-run NGO
Wirt Għawdex, and the newly inaugurated Il-Ħaġar Museum will also be open
during this special week-end.
Din l-Art Ħelwa and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will be
welcoming visitors to admire historical properties under their management. Many
of these properties have already been painstakingly restored and maintained,
supported by private sponsorships, European Union funding and numerous man
hours by dedicated volunteers.
Heritage Malta will be extending the European Heritage
Days celebrations by organising its first ever open day to the prehistoric
megalithic temples site of Ġgantija on 01 November.
European Heritage Days is an event organised in 50
countries, under the auspices of the Council of Europe and is coordinated in
Malta by the Superintendence of Cultural.
Click to view poster
Click to view programmes of activities
