Heritage Malta is celebrating International Lace Day – observed worldwide on Sunday 11th July – with an event at the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu on that same day.

Lace making was mastered in Malta centuries ago, but the craft was given a huge boost with the arrival of the Knights of the Order of St John. Demand surged during the Baroque Age, when clothes were adorned with intricate lace designs. Lace making gained new impetus during the 19th century, when well-organised production houses were set up.

Heritage Malta’s event on the 11th July will see various lace makers practising their craft throughout the day in the palace’s Castellania Courtyard. Complementing this activity, there will be two guided tours of the palace – one in Maltese at 10.30am and another in English at 2.00pm.

Participants in these tours will not only learn about the Inquisitor’s Palace chequered history but will also gain useful insight into the national textile collection housed at the palace and into efforts to keep the old tradition of Maltese lace making passed on from one generation to the next.

Participants will have the opportunity to speak to the lace makers in the palace courtyard. They may also try their hand at lace making should they wish to. Disposable gloves will be provided.

Tickets for the tours cost €6 each and may be bought online from Heritage Malta’s website as follows. Link for the Maltese tour tickets: https://shop.heritagemalta.org/index.asp?eventid=775

Link for the English tour tickets: https://shop.heritagemalta.org/index.asp?eventid=776

The Inquisitor’s Palace will also be open to other visitors on the day as per normal hours, that is from 10.00am till 4.30pm, with the usual admission fees. All visitors are required to strictly adhere to the health authorities’ Covid-19 regulations.

STQARRIJA BIL-MALTI/ PRESS RELEASE IN MALTESE

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