The Cippi of Malta reunited in new exhibition at the National Archaeology Museum in Valletta

For the first time since their celebrated display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Cippi of Malta are reunited once again, this time at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. The exhibition, titled The Cippi of Malta – Their Story and Voyage, runs until 31st March 2025.

The Cippi, two marble pillars from the 2nd century BC, hold immense historical significance due to the bilingual Phoenician and Greek inscriptions they bear. These inscriptions were pivotal in the decipherment of the Phoenician script by French scholar Jean-Jacques Barthélemy in 1758. “The reunion of the Cippi in Malta showcases a remarkable aspect of our island’s ancient heritage,” said Noel Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta. “It is a privilege to bring these two invaluable artifacts together, allowing us to share their story with visitors like never before.”

In 1782, one of the Cippi was gifted to France by Grand Master de Rohan as a gesture of scholarly and diplomatic exchange. Since then, it has resided in the Louvre Museum in Paris, while its twin remained in Valletta. Their temporary reunion at the Louvre Abu Dhabi last year marked a historic cultural partnership between Malta and the United Arab Emirates. Now, thanks to collaboration with the Louvre, the Cippi are once again on Maltese soil, enabling further public engagement with these iconic relics.

Mario Cutajar, Heritage Malta’s Chairman, remarked that: “These two pillars are one with Maltese history. Since when we were children, most of us know about their story because of their role in deciphering the Phoenician language, and efforts by the authorities of the time to establish a link between Maltese and this ancient language. They open several windows on our history. The fact they are once more reunited in Malta, offers the chance to get to know ourselves and our heritage better.”

Minister for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government, Hon. Owen Bonnici, emphasized the exhibition’s role in fostering cultural diplomacy: “The Cippi represent a bridge across centuries and nations. Their return is not only a celebration of Malta’s rich archaeological heritage but also a testament to the enduring ties between Malta, France, and our cultural partners around the world.”

The exhibition also illuminates ongoing mysteries about the Cippi’s origins, as scholars continue to explore when and how they first arrived in Malta. Sharon Sultana, Curator of the National Museum of Archaeology, stated that  “The exhibition in Abu Dhabi was the start of a research collaboration with the Louvre museum about the Cippi of Malta. In the past year, this was further strengthened, and the result is being presented to the public in this exhibition and in the accompanying publication.”

Admission to the exhibition is included with the museum ticket. The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 until 5th January 2025, after which it will be closed on Tuesdays through the end of February. Further updates on opening hours can be found on https://heritagemalta.mt/opening-hours/