Heritage Malta invites the public to experience Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu after dark, during extended evening hours, as part of Birgufest, and to uncover the rich art and history of hats in Malta and Europe through a new exhibition running until February 2026.

On Saturday 11th October, both the mighty Fort St Angelo and the majestic Inquisitor’s Palace, housing the National Museum of Ethnography, will close at 4:00pm, reopening from 6:00pm until midnight, with last admission at 11:30pm. Visitors at Fort St Angelo can enjoy the rare sight of the fortress illuminated by traditional fjakkoli, creating a striking night-time spectacle over the Grand Harbour.

At the Inquisitor’s Palace, the newly opened exhibition, ‘Hats Off! Hats at the Turn of the 20th Century’, explores how this simple yet expressive accessory has shaped European fashion, culture, and social identity for centuries, focusing on the dramatic transformations at the dawn of modern age.

Once considered essential daily wear, hats reflected far more than style – they signalled social class, gender, and occupation. In Malta, headwear mirrored the island’s unique blend of local customs, Catholic devotion, and British colonial influence, preserving traditional tendencies well into the 20th century.

The exhibition presents a selection of remarkable pieces from the national ethnographic collection – from men’s elegant late-19th-century top hats and early-20th-century boaters and panamas to later practical fedoras and trilbies, alongside women’s cloche, pillbox, percher, and crescent designs. Hatpins and hatboxes further enrich the display.

A special combined ticket of €3 will grant access to both historical sites during the evening. ‘Hats Off!’ remains open until the end of February 2026, welcoming visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 17:00 till the end of October, with the last admission at 16:30. For later opening hours, visit https://heritagemalta.mt/opening-hours/. Persons with impaired mobility may find access to the exhibition area challenging because of stairs.

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Heritage Malta has unveiled a new exhibition at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, marking 100 years since the first law protecting Malta’s heritage. The display reveals how the island’s ancient past came to be recognised as a national treasure worthy of preservation. The exhibition runs until the end of January 2026.

Titled ‘From Destruction to Preservation: Towards the Antiquities Protection Act (1925)’, this latest entry in the Espresso series examines the key developments that led to the law which laid the foundations for heritage protection in Malta.

By the turn of the 20th century, Malta’s archaeological sites were increasingly threatened by unregulated excavations and trade in antiquities. Early preservation efforts, including the founding of the national museum in 1903 under Dr Themistocles Zammit, helped establish the institutional framework and public awareness that ultimately enabled first the 1910 Protection of Antiquities Ordinance and later the 1925 Antiquities Protection Act.

The exhibition features rare documents from the National Archives and photographs from the museum’s own archive, including documentation of the now-destroyed Kerċem Neolithic site in Gozo and the Buqana site. As a result of the 1910 Protection of Antiquities Ordinance, the latter was in fact the first Neolithic burial ground discovered after the celebrated Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum which was systematically recorded. Nevertheless, damage to other sites, such as at Mtarfa, revealed the shortcomings of that ordinance, underscoring the need for stronger, more comprehensive legislation.

By revisiting these crucial milestones, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on a century of heritage management and on Malta’s enduring commitment to protecting its cultural legacy.

The exhibition remains open until the 31st of January 2026. Until the end of October, the exhibition opens daily from 09:00 till 19:00, and subsequent times will be available on https://heritagemalta.mt/opening-hours/. Admission is free, and the exhibition space is fully accessible.

An illustrated catalogue complements this exhibition – available at the museum and through Heritage Malta’s online store here.

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The touring exhibition ‘Your MUŻA: Celebrating Giuseppe Calì’ has reached its final destination at the Sacro Cuor Parish Church in Sliema, following successful showcases in Valletta, Mosta, and Lija. The exhibition runs until Wednesday 15th October.

This concluding chapter of a journey which began in May was inaugurated by Godwin Vella, Senior Manager of Heritage Malta’s publishing house, and Dr. Mark Sagona, Head of the Department of Arts and Art History at the University of Malta.

Mario Cutajar, Heritage Malta’s Chairman, MUŻA’s Director and the exhibition’s curator, remarked: “This was an experience that gave new knowledge both to all those who visited it and to MUŻA itself. This was the first exhibition of its kind in Malta, touring places that feature works by Giuseppe Calì, and the second in the series ‘Your MUŻA’. The public’s response encourages us to continue creating initiatives that bring MUŻA closer to communities and highlight the richness of our heritage. MUŻA continues to establish itself as an active centre of art in all its forms, with plans for the rest of this year and the next, that include the second edition of the Malta Biennale and the new public programme which builds on these achievements.”

Born in Valletta in 1846 to Neapolitan parents who fled the political turmoil that flared up in Naples a few years before, Calì remains one of our country’s greatest artists of all time. Trained at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Naples, Calì returned home to forge a lasting legacy – starting as a theatre scenographer before becoming renowned for his portraits and church commissions across Malta and Gozo.

‘Your MUŻA’ is an outreach initiative that extends the national collection beyond the museum walls, making art more accessible and relevant to communities. By presenting works in localities tied to the featured artist, the project ensures that national treasures are experienced in meaningful contexts. The exhibition’s first three stops drew hundreds of visitors, confirming a strong appetite for cultural encounters close to home.

The Sliema presentation carries particular resonance. It reunites the parish with the original bozzetto of the painting of St Jerome produced by Calì in 1881, brought specially from MUŻA. Visitors can also admire Calì’s iconic ‘The Death of Dragut’, works by his contemporaries, preparatory sketches, and archival material that provide unique insights into the artist’s life and practice.

A detailed catalogue accompanies the exhibition – of which physical copies are available for purchase on site and online here: https://heritagemalta.mt/store/muza-hdejk-niccelebraw-lil-giuseppe-cali-your-muza-celebrating-giuseppe-cali/ and a digital version may be accessed here: https://issuu.com/heritagemt/docs/muza_hdejk_niccelebraw_lil_giuseppe_cali_cover.

Opening hours are from 9:30am till 6:00pm from Monday to Friday, from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Saturday, and from 12:00pm to 6:00pm on Sunday.

Entrance is completely free.

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During this year’s edition of PlayCon, taking place at MFCC in Ta’ Qali between the 9th and 12th of October, Heritage Malta is showcasing three innovative games, designed by its dynamic Technology and Experience Development (TED) Unit to
convey cultural heritage into exciting, interactive experiences.

Beyond the entertainment aspect, these initiatives embody Heritage Malta’s wider mission to connect people with heritage through technology, creativity, education, and accessibility. Harnessing in-house expertise in coding, game design, animation, and testing, the agency is transforming history and contemporary themes such as war, peace, and climate change into interactive experiences enabling a deeper connection with the past and reflection on its relevance today.

The first featured game is ‘Fortress Malta’, launched earlier this year to commemorate two major milestones – the 50th anniversary of the National War Museum and the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Now part of the permanent display at Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum, this mixed-reality installation invites players to step into the role of a WWII gunner manning an anti-aircraft Bofors gun during an air raid. Seamlessly blending physical props with immersive virtual environments, the game offers a striking way of reliving Malta’s wartime history.

Heritage Malta is also presenting two brand new games – the first of which is ‘Guardians of Stećci’. This 2D web-based platformer, created within the European Union Horizon project ‘STECCI’, lets players digitise medieval limestone tombstones known as stećci, which are found across Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring regions and are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. By integrating authentic 3D scans and 2D assets recorded by Heritage Malta’s digitisation specialists at 5 sites in eight countries, the game highlights the project’s goal of raising awareness about detrimental effects of climate change on cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, ‘Relics of the Past: Museum Tycoon’ marks Heritage Malta’s debut on the global platform Fortnite, where players excavate, conserve, and curate their own digital museums using digitised artefacts from Malta’s national collection. Both these
new projects will be available in demo form during PlayCon, with the public invited to test them, share feedback, and help Heritage Malta continue refining these unique experiences.

Commenting on the initiative, Heritage Malta’s CEO, Noel Zammit, stated: “These three games attest to our drive and energy to always keep up with the times and stay ahead even when it comes to technology. In addition, we are continuing to fulfil our mission of guaranteeing our visitors and the public holistic and multisensory experiences, especially for the young ones, on whom the future of our country’s cultural heritage rests.”

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Heritage Malta has donated a collection of educational books to the newly opened Learning Hub at the Corradino Correctional Facility, reinforcing its commitment to education and lifelong learning.

The donation, formally presented to the Correctional Services Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Siegersma,  includes a variety of titles published by Heritage Malta’s publishing house –  featuring information books on historical sites, detailed monographs, and the agency’s first-ever graphic novel released earlier this year.

The Learning Hub, officially opened last August, is the second of its kind within the facility. Designed to support inmate rehabilitation, it offers modern classrooms, a library, and an art room. Inmates can take part in various courses, all aimed at improving employability, life skills, and reintegration upon release.

During the book presentation, Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, Noel Zammit, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative: “This learning facility is much more than just a room with books and resources – it is a gateway to opportunity, growth, and change. Education is not only about knowledge, but also about transformation. Every page read, every skill learned, is an investment in the inmates’ future. Heritage Malta hopes this donation inspires them to embrace learning as a tool for personal growth and a brighter tomorrow.”

Heritage Malta sees this initiative as a reminder that growth never stops, and that each of us has the ability to keep learning, improving, and moving forward, even in the most challenging circumstances.

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Heritage Malta has commenced rehabilitation, restoration and conservation works at Villa Guardamangia, where Princess Elizabeth, who subsequently became Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip resided during periods between 1949 and 1951.

The Villa Guardamangia project is expected to require about three years to complete and is estimated to cost just over €12 million, of which more than €10 million will be provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

This new phase in the Villa Guardamangia project was marked by a visit on site by Dr Owen Bonnici, Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, and Dr Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme. They were shown around by members of Heritage Malta’s senior management team.

Minister Owen Bonnici pointed out that: “This is another important step for our historical heritage – which also has an international impact in light of its link with the British Royal family – to continue to be protected and enjoyed.” He said that this project is only one of more than 40 restoration projects, which confirms the commitment to give new value to our history as a
people.

Dr Bonnici remarked that the Villa Guardamangia rehabilitation project is unique, because it was thanks to the government that the villa was purchased from the private sector and the necessary applications for European funds were made, paving the way for this project, to be enyoyed by the Maltese people and the tourists who visit us.

Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the Villa Guardamangia project is a clear example of how European funds, when used strategically, can increase social, cultural and economic value. He explained that more than €10 million of the investment is being financed by the European Regional Development Fund and that this support will enable a historical site which was abandoned for many years to be transformed into a living and sustainable cultural attraction. Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi added that through such an investment, the government is not only preserving the past but is also creating new opportunities for education, tourism and the community as a whole.

Noel Zammit, Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, said that Villa Guardamangia’s restoration further attests to Heritage Malta’s commitment towards accessibility and towards ensuring that the public feels bonded with our cultural heritage. This patrimony not only comprises museum artefacts or historical documents but also the nation’s collective memory and old buildings which people still remember as past residences. Once Villa Guardamangia is restored, an address that for centuries was the privilege of the few will form part of our collective heritage.

Among other tasks already completed in the villa, sections of the façade that were in imminent danger of collapse were shored up, and other parts of the building were reinforced to halt ongoing damage. A detailed architectural survey of the entire property was undertaken and tonnes of debris and other materials were removed. Stone statues that once decorated the garden, as well as domestic appliances used in the villa in the 1940s and 50s were conserved by Heritage Malta after years of neglect. Decorative schemes on the walls of the villa were uncovered and will now be restored.

Additionally, data on environmental factors such as temperature and humidity was collected to guide future decisions. Extensive research was carried out into the villa’s history, its owners, and its furnishings through the years. Heritage Malta has also gathered first-hand accounts from people who lived in the villa before and after the Princess, as well as from others who worked there or provided services to the royal couple.

Villa Guardamangia consists of 18 rooms, stables, an underground shelter and a large garden. Works will involve both interior and exterior restoration and will include the installation of systems to ensure the building functions in an environmentally sustainable way. The project is expected to entail a long and challenging process due to the building’s poor state.

Once restoration is completed, the Villa Guardamangia experience will focus on the human aspect and the sense of normality that the royal couple cherished during the time they spent there. The villa’s 1950s environment will be recreated, offering visitors the experience of a historical home of the period. A small exhibition and a documentary will help the public understand the relationship between Malta and the royal family over the centuries, as well as the colonial historical context of the royal couple’s time in Malta in the mid-20th century

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Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit (UCHU) represented Malta at an Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) conference in Vienna on maritime security, where experts addressed threats ranging from illicit trafficking and cyber risks to the looting of maritime heritage.

In their interventions, marine biologist Ella Zahra, attending in person, and Professor Timmy Gambin, UCHU Head, presenting online, highlighted Malta’s innovative work in safeguarding shipwrecks, preventing looting, and promoting international Cooperation. They shared insights on the unit’s cutting-edge research and conservation strategies, demonstrating how technology and cross-border collaboration are key to protecting fragile underwater sites.

Delegates were also briefed on the unit’s virtual reality experiences, developed in Malta to increase public knowledge and foster appreciation of the rich heritage hidden beneath the nation’s waters. They then virtually explored for themselves three iconic wrecks in Maltese waters: the SS Polynésien, a French WWI troopship once looted for valuables; the ORP Kujawiak (L72), a Polish WWII destroyer that is a war grave and a Potentially Polluting Wreck (PPW); and the ancient Phoenician shipwreck off Xlendi Bay, Gozo, threatened by fishing activities in the area.

Further information on UCHU’s ongoing research, site documentation, and conservation projects – including detailed 3D scans of Maltese shipwrecks – is available at the unit’s online museum www.underwatermalta.org, which serves as a public platform for exploring and studying Malta’s underwater cultural heritage.

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Heritage Malta invites the public to explore the past and shape the future at a special event on Saturday, 4th October, at the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex – one of Malta’s UNESCO-recognised prehistoric sites. This event is part of the Malta Sustainable Development Action Days, running alongside the European Sustainable Development Week.

Spanning three weeks, the Malta Sustainable Development Action Days bring together government entities, voluntary organisations, businesses, and individuals to raise awareness about sustainable development and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Heritage Malta’s event at Tarxien, ‘Mill-Preistorja Tagħlima Għall-Ġejjieni’ (Lessons from Prehistory for the Future), looks at the links between Malta’s distant past and the choices we make today. Through a mix of talks and practical activities,
from 3:00pm till 6:00pm, visitors will discover how lessons from history can inspire more sustainable ways of living today.

Children will learn about seeds and plant growth whilst having fun in an engaging, hands-on workshop. Young participants will plant seeds in organic pots full of compost, examine their structures under a microscope, and learn how to identify which seeds produce different fruits and vegetables. Discussions will reveal the nutritional and environmental value of everyday seeds such as beans, sesame, cumin, fennel, cotton and seed oils, highlighting their role as alternative
protein sources and ingredients in popular foods like hummus, tzatziki and sesame snaps.

Adults can join a series of short talks in Maltese exploring urban development and nature’s healing power. Speakers include curator Katya Stroud with ‘Bla krejn mnejn sa fejn?’, architect Ruben Abela presenting ‘M’għandniex kwiet: Mill-irħula għall-ibliet’, and curator David Cilia with ‘Id-duwa tan-natura’. Attendance is free of charge, but pre-booking is required due to limited places. Tickets and further details are available here.

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Heritage Malta’s acclaimed touring exhibition ‘Celebrating Giuseppe Calì’ – the second in the outreach series ‘Your MUŻA’ – has reached Lija, the town where the artist’s brush created both beauty and bold critique. The exhibition runs until the 29th of September, before proceeding to Sliema for its final stop.

Now hosted at the Parish Church of Christ the Saviour in Lija – the third stop in its itinerary – the exhibition invites the visiting public to rediscover Calì’s genius in another setting with which it bears a special connection.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Mark Sagona, Head of the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Malta, as a testament to the strengthened ties and collaboration between Heritage Malta and the University. ‘Celebrating Giuseppe Calì’ brings together some of the artist’s most renowned masterpieces, including ‘The Death of Dragut’ (from MUŻA), alongside art pieces from contemporaries, artistic sketches, his baptismal and death records, and other documents shedding light on aspects of the artist’s life.

Born in Valletta in 1846, Calì trained in Naples before returning to Malta, where he quickly became one of the island’s most sought-after artists. In Lija, his brilliance is still visible in works such as the Immaculate Conception and the Crucifixion (1891), the dome of the parish church (1893), and ‘Jesus with the Children’ on the painted ceiling of the same church (1897). These masterpieces, still in place, frame this exhibition with a powerful sense of homecoming.

Calì often used art to convey his thoughts and opinions. In Lija, he painted the prophet Jonah aghast at another artist’s disproportioned figures, and portrayed Micheas as himself, inscribing Fame Pereo (“I am dying of hunger”) across his chest – a plea or fair pay. On the backing panel of his Crucifixion (1891), Calì even left a poem lamenting the preference for Italian painters over Maltese ones, a struggle that marked much of his career.

Mario Cutajar, Director of MUŻA, Chairman of Heritage Malta and curator of this exhibition, commented: “The response to this exhibition, now at its third stop, has been truly encouraging. This is a positive sign on many levels: it shows that MUŻA’s initiatives are reaching people and being appreciated, while also raising awareness about Maltese art and, above all, Maltese artists. This success motivates us to continue building on such work – not only through MUŻA Ħdejk and the Malta Biennale, which is currently in full preparation for its second edition next year, but also through new initiatives and the ongoing transformation of the museum itself, as it continues to grow and fulfil the objectives for which it was created.”

A richly illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition, available for purchase in print on site and online here and digitally here. The exhibition runs at the Parish Church of Christ the Saviour in Lija till Monday 29th September. Opening hours are from 09:00am till 5:45pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 12:00pm to 4:30pm on Sunday.

Admission is free.

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Heritage Malta has inaugurated a new exhibition at MUŻA – the National Community Art Museum in Valletta – dedicated to the life and work of Aldo Micallef-Grimaud, one of Malta’s foremost 20th-century artists. Marking the centenary of his birth, the exhibition will remain open until 28 September 2025.

Entitled ‘The Artistic Legacy of Aldo Micallef-Grimaud (1925–2010)’, the exhibition traces the breadth of the artist’s oeuvre, from refined portraits and evocative depictions of the Maltese countryside to his evolution from classical realism towards more imaginative, contemporary expression.

Trained under some of Malta’s most distinguished masters, Micallef-Grimaud painted prominent figures such as British Governor Sir Maurice Henry Dorman and Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi. His monumental works also adorn churches and institutions across the islands. While rooted in academic tradition, he consistently sought innovation – a spirit epitomised by ‘Arbre Enchanté’ (1995), where a tree transforms into a female figure, symbolising humanity’s unity with nature.

Curated by Prof. Louis Lagana, the exhibition also features material from the artist’s personal archives, generously shared by his daughter, Nadine Micallef-Grimaud. Together they present a portrait of an artist who honoured tradition while reimagining it, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration.

The opening also marked the launch of a richly illustrated hardback publication by Prof. Lagana and Nadine Micallef-Grimaud, produced by Heritage Malta’s publishing house. This comprehensive volume offers deeper insight into the artist’s technical mastery and vision, complementing the exhibition and strengthening MUŻA’s role as a hub for research, knowledge, and appreciation of Malta’s artistic heritage.

This initiative furthers MUŻA’s mission to spotlight underrepresented artistic voices – following similar exhibitions on Edward Pirotta and Francis Ebejer – ensuring that the country’s cultural memory continues to grow richer and more inclusive.

Mario Cutajar, MUŻA’s Director and Heritage Malta’s Chairman, remarked: “The role of MUŻA should not only be that of a museum that gives an experience on the beauty of art, but also one which celebrates artists themselves. In this context we must, as we have done recently, remember artists that we might not talk about as much anymore. The exhibition on Aldo Micallef-Grimaud is one such exhibition. We have far more projects that we aim to accomplish at MUŻA so that it is truly the National Community Art Museum, in fact and not just in name.” ‘The Artistic Legacy of Aldo Micallef-Grimaud’ is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with free admission. The accompanying publication is available for purchase online here and at MUŻA. Further details may be found here.

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