HISTORY & CULTURE

Explore Malta's rich and lavish history, culture and traditions

Open Day at Villa Frere

Villa Frere was created by British diplomat, poet, scholar, and philanthropist John Hookham Frere, after the demise of his wife in 1831, as a means of comfort for his sadness. From this garden, which enjoyed wide-open views spanning from Mdina to Valletta, he could also look out at the Msida Bastion Cemetery, where his wife reposed. Villa Frere became a sanctuary for numerous academics, most famously Mikiel Anton Vassalli who reportedly discussed with Frere how to establish Maltese as a written and taught language. The place became a prominent attraction, both to locals and foreigners. For more information visit www.heritagemalta.com

Cruise

Discover some of Filfla’s secrets, as recounted by John J. Borg, Senior Curator of the Natural History Unit, who has been studying the island since 1982. Discover how Filfla was formed, the etymology of its name, the island’s allure for pirates, its use as a bombing target, the creatures and plants that now call Filfla their home, and countless other facts during the boat ride along the eastern and southern coast of Malta. And keep your eyes skinned – sightings of seabirds, turtles and dolphins are possible!

There will be no disembarkation on Filfla and no swimming around it, but on the way back to Sliema the boat will make a stop in the beautiful waters off Delimara for those who feel like a dip.

So pack some food, slather your sunblock, don a cap and be ready for a day of fun and learning. Don’t worry if you run out of drinks – refreshments will be available at the boat’s bar. Get your tickets from heritagemalta.mt

Sliema Ferries departures, Sliema Ferries, Sliema

The idyllic fishing village of Marsaxlokk with its colourful luzzus and unique character make the unrivalled setting for the local market. This is the perfect place to spend Sunday morning, where you can run your shoulders with the locals as you browse through the various stalls. The tour continues with a visit to the Blue Grotto (weather permitting – boat price not included) and the nearby caves. Admire the whole expanse of the blue Mediterranean and the islet of Filfla. Later on, the guide will help you explore one of Malta’s unspoilt villages. From the main square, the hub of the village with its parish church and band club, you will be led through a maze of winding narrow streets that all have a story to be told. Get your tickets from chitzo.com

A guided tour through the vibrant streets of Valletta, which will allow you to discover the beauty and charm of the fortified city built by the Knights in 1566. The order of St.John ruled over the islands for 268 years and left a unique cultural legacy of which Valletta is the prime example. First you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Harbour from the Upper Barracca Gardens. The tour continues to St.Johns Co-Cathedral, including the Caravaggio masterpieces in the Oratory. The Co-Cathedral houses one of the most beautiful marble inlaid floors in the world. Going down Republic Street you will walk past the Grand Masters’ Palace and the recently restored St. George’s Square before watching the Malta Experience, an audiovisual show where Malta’s history throughout the centuries is brought back to life. Get your tickets from chitzo.com

Valletta

Ta’

Catacombs Monthly Opening

Ta’ Bistra Catacombs will be welcoming the general public every last Sunday of the month. Located half way between the ancient town of Melite and the once-important harbour of Salina, Ta’ Bistra Catacombs are, so far, the largest set of tombs and catacombs beyond the confines of the ancient city of the island. They were first recorded in the late 1800s but were only investigated in 1933 by Captain Charles Zammit, before part of the site was covered over by a new road leading down to Burmarrad. Further studies in 2004, 2013, and 2014, have brought the site back to life with new discoveries and hence, new interpretations.Get your tickets from heritagemalta.mt

Harbour Cruise: Great Siege

Events

This harbour cruise is an ideal opportunity for history buffs to explore the gruesome four-month-long siege that shaped Maltese history thereafter. With limited seating, tickets are selling fast, so be sure to book your spot now! Get your tickets from heritagemalta.mt

Sliema Ferries departures, Sliema Ferries, Sliema

18,20

Meander along the engrossing story of the National Museum of Natural History, spanning a 50-year stay within Palazzo Vilhena in Mdina, through a series of black and white photographs exhibited at the museum until 30 December. The images – totalling 50, in line with this important milestone – showcase the main events that have shaped the museum’s fascinating story and its intriguing, ever-growing collections, which stimulate the minds of children and scholars alike. The exhibition – The National Museum of Natural History: 50 Years in Mdina, A Photographic Journey – complements a photographic book with the same title, compiled by John J. Borg, the museum’s Senior Curator, and launched on the occasion of the anniversary. Let each photo take you back down memory lane, from 1973, when the museum was officially opened to the public, on to the highs and lows of the subsequent years, right up to the present day, which sees the museum boasting a collection of tens of thousands of specimens ranging from shells to birds, mammals, fish and reptiles!

National Museum of Natural History, Pjazza Publju, L-Imdina,