Stqarrija bil-Malti Agħfas Hawn / Press Release in Maltese Click Here
On Sunday 7th April, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to a day of discoveries and fun for all the family at the Domvs Romana and St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat, and the National Museum of Natural History in Mdina, which will all be open for free.
The Domvs Romana offers a unique glimpse into the lives of ancient Roman aristocrats, exploring family dynamics, fashion, education, entertainment, and culinary delights. Its impressive grounds also host the ‘Melite Civitas Romana Project’, with excavations resuming this June, aiming to shed further light on Malta’s Roman past.
A stroll away, St Paul’s Catacombs’ interconnected passages and tombs usher visitors into the world of the dead. This fascinating site is, in fact, part of the largest necropolis outside of the ancient town of Melite and was in use from the Punic period all the way up to Byzantine times. It features varied cultures and religions, with Pagan, Jewish and Christian burials found within the same cemetery. All children visiting this site will receive a small gift.
Housed in the stellar location of the 18th-century Vilhena Palace within the fortified city of Mdina, the National Museum of Natural History, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, takes visitors on an immersive journey through the natural world. The museum holds vast collections of birds, fossils, Quaternary bones, shells, insects and many others.
A diverse programme of activities, ranging from exciting hands-on activities for children, the official launch of new Heritage Malta publications, to guided tours for both adults and the younger ones, will complement the three historical sites throughout the day, accompanied by artistic performances kindly provided by the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government.
The full programme is outlined below:
Domvs Romana, Rabat (09:00-17:00)
10:00 – Children’s Tour in Maltese
09:00-14:00 – Children’s activity sheets exploring the Roman and Arab periods in Malta will be handed out to all young visitors.
St Paul’s Catacombs, Rabat (09:00-18:00)
10:30 -14:00 – Music by Chris Goa
11:00 – Guided tour in English
14:00 – Guided tour in Maltese
National Museum of Natural History, Mdina (09:00-17:00)
09:00 – Curator’s tour in English
10:00 – Music by Kantera
11:00 – Curator’s tour in Maltese
12:00 – Music by Ozzy Lino
13:00 – Children’s activity – Colours in Nature & I am in the Museum: Who am I?
14:00 – Music by Lisa Gauci
15:00 – Book launch of ‘The Dark Side of Rabat & Mdina’, ‘The Heritage Malta Official Guide to Domvs Romana’ and ‘Life with Aurelia’
16:00 – Children’s activity – Colours in Nature & I am in the Museum: Who am I?
Opening hours are from 09:00 till 17:00 for the Domvs Romana and the National Museum for Natural History, and from 09:00 till 18:00 for St Paul’s Catacombs, with the last admissions allowed half an hour before closing time. Admission is free for everyone, and pre-booking is not required.
