As part of the celebrations on the 10th anniversary since its establishment as the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage, Heritage Malta will be opening all its sites for the general public for free on Sunday 21st April.
Culture lovers are in for a real treat as entrance to practically all Heritage Malta sites will be free of charge on Sunday 21st April 2013. In fact the only site which is not included in this initiative is the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum due to the sensitivity of the site. Ta’ Ħaġrat and Skorba Temples in Mġarr will be open for 70 visitors on a first-come first-served basis for conservation related reasons.
The sites which will be open are the following: St. Paul’s Catacombs, the Domvs Romana (Rabat), the National Museum of Natural History (Mdina), the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Archaeology, the National War Museum, the Palace Armoury and State Rooms (Valletta), the Malta Maritime Museum, the Inquisitor’s Palace (Vittoriosa), Għar Dalam Cave (Birżebbuġa), Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples (Qrendi) and Tarxien Temples (Tarxien) in Malta and the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum, the Gozo Nature Museum, the Old Prison (Citadel, Victoria), Ta’ Kola Windmill and Ġgantija Temples (Xagħra) in Gozo.
During the Open Day a number of activities and tours will be held in several sites. Merchandise and membership will be available at special prices from most sites and museums. The agency has a specific educational section with special programmes targeting children of different age groups, as part of organised school visits. These programmes are based on the local educational curriculum and address specific areas of study taking an edutainment approach. Educational material produced specifically for children will be distributed freely during this Open Day. The Open Day is the first of a series of events and initiatives which Heritage Malta will be organising to celebrate the 10th anniversary since its establishment as the national agency for museums, conservation practice and cultural heritage in 2003.
Heritage Malta seeks to provide its various 
audiences with an enhanced experience during visits to the various sites and museums it manages. Various museums are now equipped with audio-visual interpretations which, together with the traditional interpretation panels, help the varied audiences understand better our unique cultural heritage and identity.
Heritage Malta is also committed to bring culture closer to the people through facilitating interpretation and accessibility, both physical and intellectual. Whether through temporary exhibitions, public lectures, heritage trails or other specialised events, the agency ensures that it lives up to the motto of ensuring a future to our past.
For more information regarding the 21st April Open Day and other events organised by Heritage Malta visit the website www.heritagemalta.org or follow the agency on FACEBOOK.
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