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Additional Information
Heritage Malta, in collaboration with the Birgu Local Council, presents the return of Museums by Candlelight on Saturday 18th April, transforming historic Birgu into a spectacular candlelit setting for one unforgettable evening.
On the night, the following sites will open from 7:00 pm until midnight (last admission at 12:00 am): Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor’s Palace, St Lawrence Church and Museum, St Dominic Church and Convent, and the Malta Biennale pavilions at Birgu Old Armoury and the Malta Maritime Museum. More than 15,000 candles will illuminate these sites, creating a unique atmosphere where heritage, history, and ambience come alive.
At Fort St Angelo, you are invited to walk through centuries of Maltese history shaped by warfare, resilience, and transformation. Standing proudly at the tip of the Birgu peninsula and overlooking the Grand Harbour, this formidable fortress has guarded the islands since medieval times, when it was known as Castrum Maris. Strengthened by the Order of St John after 1530, it played a decisive role during the Great Siege of 1565 before serving as a major coastal stronghold and Royal Navy base. Nowadays, as you explore its bastions and passageways, you will discover immersive historical displays, remarkable artillery, and sweeping panoramic views – an experience that brings Malta’s strategic legacy vividly to life.
At the Inquisitor’s Palace, you will discover one of Malta’s most evocative historic buildings, serving both as a historic house museum and the National Museum of Ethnography. Built in the 1530s and transformed into the seat of the Holy Office in 1574, the Palace functioned as the centre of the Roman Inquisition in Malta for more than 224 years. As you explore its rooms, you will see the striking contrast between elegant private apartments and grand reception halls, and the stark tribunal chamber, prison complex, and interrogation spaces, reflecting the Inquisitor’s dual role as ecclesiastical diplomat and supreme judge. This layered experience, linking domestic life, official duties, and Malta’s cultural heritage, is further enriched by the National Textiles Collection.
St Lawrence Church and Museum offers a rare glimpse into Malta’s rich history and art, featuring Grand Master Jean de Valette’s hat and sword, 16th-century silver from Rhodes, and a Venetian painting by Palma Vecchio, all within Lorenzo Gafà’s architectural masterpiece enhanced by Mattia Preti’s dramatic St Lawrence and Mariano Gerada’s sculptures. Nearby, St Dominic Church and Convent reflects Birgu’s growth, preserving Dominican heritage alongside inspiring works by Emvin Cremona, Rafel Bonnici Calì, and Ġanni Vella.
The contemporary art pavilions of the Malta Biennale 2026 at the Birgu Old Armoury and the Malta Maritime Museum will also be open to the public on the night, as part of the Museums by Candlelight experience.
The evening will also feature live entertainment at two of the venues.
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Harpist Jacob Portelli will perform at the Inquisitor’s Palace from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
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At Fort St Angelo, Bernie & Pod and Kathy the Violinist will entertain audiences from 8:30 pm till midnight and from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm respectively.
Visitors can also enjoy a historical re-enactment of the In Guardia at Fort St Angelo, along with artisan stalls and food and beverage stands.
The In Guardia march will start at 7:00 pm from Birgu’s main entrance. The procession will make stops in front of the Inquisitor’s Palace, St Dominic Church and Convent, St Lawrence Church and Museum, and Fort St Angelo, where the participants will remain stationed until midnight.
General admission tickets, granting access to all sites, are available for just €3 and can be purchased online or at any Heritage Malta museum or site, or else at the door of Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor’s Palace during the event. Heritage Malta members enter free of charge, but pre-booking is still required.
Tickets are non-refundable. Please note that online ticket purchase does not provide priority access.
Alternative transport services will be available to facilitate access to the event. The Barrakka Lift will operate with extended hours until midnight, as will the Valletta ferry to the Three Cities.
A taxi promotion will be available for attendees who purchase their ticket online by noon of Friday 17th April. The Dgħajjes tal-Pass boat services will also operate during the event, and parking will be available at the Fortini Grounds.
Accessibility Notice: Please note that the sites include multiple stairways and uneven surfaces, which may present challenges for visitors with reduced mobility.
Visitors are kindly advised to wear comfortable shoes. A dress code applies when entering the churches.
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