Heritage Malta and Din l-Art Ħelwa to open two historical sites today

Heritage Malta and Din l-Art Ħelwa, with the collaboration of the Mqabba Local Council, are opening two historical sites today. Heritage Malta will open TalMintna Catacombs while Din l-Art Ħelwa will open the church of the Annunciation at Ħal Millieri.

Tal-Mintna Catacombs, managed by Heritage Malta, are a group of three small catacombs probably used around the fourth and sixth centuries AD. The site was first documented in 1860 by Dr Antonio Annetto Caruana, who was shown the site by Captain Walter Strickland. Caruana records that these three catacombs were only accessible through a well shaft in one of the nearby houses. Used as a well meant that this historical site, originally consisting of independent catacombs, was joined by means of passages and water channels, thus causing substantial damage.

They remain, however, among the best representations of rural catacombs in Malta. Most window tombs are decorated with carved pilasters and the conches of a few tombs contain some of the best preserved respresentations of the scallop shell motif; a symbol that was frequently used in Early Christian iconography.

By opening TalMintna Catacombs, Heritage Malta are taking the opportunity to encourage locals and foreigners to visit the site at just €2. The site will be open between 9am and 12noon and tours will be given every 15 minutes. Due to lack of space and even to ensure visitors enjoy a personalized tour of the site, a maximum of 10 persons will be accepted for each tour.

Tickets for Tal-Mintna Catacombs can be purchased on the day from the site.

The church of the Annunciation at Ħal Millieri, managed by the volunteer heritage organisation, Din l-Art Ħelwa, is a major landmark of Malta’ medieval past. The present edifice dates to around 1450, but archaeological excavations have shown that it was built over the site of an earlier, possibly 13th century chapel, and a much older late-Roman rural complex.

The Ħal Millieri church is best known for its medieval architectural features, and for the unique set of fresco paintings that adorn its side walls between the springing of the arches. This anachronistic cycle of holy effigies, which is believed to have been copied from the earlier chapel, has been expertly restored through the efforts of Din l-Art Ħelwa, as a fine example of Maltese medieval vernacular art.

The Ħal Millieri church will be open for the general public between 9am and 12noon. Entrance is free of charge.