Stqarrija bil-Malti Agħfas Hawn / Press Release in Maltese Click Here

Heritage Malta is marking European Archaeology Days with several exciting events between the 17th and the 20th of June. European Archaeology Days are celebrated simultaneously across Europe to raise awareness and familiarise European audiences with all aspects of archaeology.

The first local event is a public lecture about urban archaeology and a collection of fine tableware. Dating back to the 17th and 18th century, this collection was discovered during the demolition of the Auberge d’Auvergne (where the Law Courts are currently located) in 1965 and is now housed at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. The lecture will be held on Friday 17th June at 6.00pm, at the mentioned museum. It will be delivered in English by Christian Mifsud and Nathaniel Cutajar, Heritage Malta’s Principal Curators for Research and Documentation of Historic Buildings and for Medieval Archaeology respectively. Admission is free of charge and no booking is required.

On Saturday 18th June, the public will have the opportunity to view the Domvs Romana from a different perspective. Although the Domvs is known as a high-class residence, excavations carried out in 1920 unearthed the remains of numerous small Roman houses built along the road which indicate humbler homes and other social classes. Morevover, in 1940, the Domvs Romana served as a temporary home for a family who moved in it from Tarxien due to the war. The tour Domvs Romana: Houses Beyond the House – A Residence, A Home explores the Domvs Romana’s function as an accommodation used by different people through various circumstances in history. Attendees will also be treated to a sneak peek into the ongoing excavations at the back of this ancient site. There will be a tour in Maltese at 10.00am and another one in English at 12.30pm. Tickets (adults – €20, children – €15, members – €15) are available at all Heritage Malta museums and sites, or online on shop.heritagemalta.org.

Another event will be held at Ta’ Bistra Catacombs, which are not usually open to the public. On Saturday 18th June, from 7.00pm till 11.00pm, visitors are welcome to explore this site which comprises the largest set of tombs and catacombs accessible beyond the confines of our ancient capital city. Refreshments may be purchased on site. Tickets will only be available at the door and will be priced as follows: Adults, seniors and students – €3; children and Heritage Malta members – free. Heritage Malta senior and student passports cannot be used for this event.

Mnajdra will also be buzzing with activity very early in the morning on the 18th and 19th of June. KorMalta and ŻfinMalta will be performing Ola Gjeilo’s renowned Sunrise Mass at this prehistoric site which lends itself beautifully to the execution of this moving composition. The audience will also be able to observe the Summer Solstice phenomenon in a truly unique manner. Tickets for this event are limited. Prices are €45 for adults, children, seniors and students, and €35 for Heritage Malta members. Tickets are available from all Heritage Malta museums and sites, and online on shop.heritagemalta.org. The performance starts at 6.00am and ticket holders are to gather half an hour before outside the Ħaġar Qim Visitor Centre.

The final events for this year’s European Archaeology Days will be held on the 20th of June to celebrate the Summer Solstice. There will be two simultaneous guided tours – one at Mnajdra and another at Ħaġar Qim – during which visitors will experience the beauty of the first rays of the rising sun lighting up these sites as they have done at the beginning of summer for thousands of years. Tickets for each tour (€30 for adults and €20 for Heritage Malta members) may be purchased from all Heritage Malta sites and museums, or online on shop.heritagemalta.org. Ticket holders are to gather at 5.30am outside the Ħaġar Qim Visitor Centre.

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