A day of free admission and exciting activities at Għar Dalam and Borġ in-Nadur

On Saturday 20 April, Heritage Malta is inviting you to explore the Maltese Islands’ deep prehistoric past at Għar Dalam and the Borġ in-Nadur Prehistoric Complex. Both sites, which are located in Birżebbuġa, will be open for free.

Għar Dalam is Malta’s oldest prehistoric site. It also bears evidence of the earliest human presence on the island from some 7,400 years ago. Rows of ancient animal bones, unearthed from the site’s cave and exhibited in one of the last remaining Victorian-style displays in Europe, shed light onto this bygone era.

Inside the Għar Dalam cave itself, naturally decorated with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites and a variety of rock formations, visitors experience a sense of awe in appreciation of our islands’ mystifying distant past. This site is also home to various indigenous plants and trees, and forms part of the Natura 2000 network of protected sites.

During Saturday’s open day, the public will also be able to visit the neighbouring site of Borġ in-Nadur. Uniquely positioned on high ground between two valleys – Wied Żembaq and Wied Dalam – this Neolithic site was excavated in the 1920s by eminent archaeologist Margaret Murray and proved crucial in understanding facets of Maltese prehistory.

The day will be made even brighter with various familyfriendly activities, thanks to the collaboration of other entities. These include hands-on activities for children, information stands about Heritage Malta’s passport and membership schemes, as well as Heritage Malta publications for sale. Children will receive a small gift.

Both sites will be open between 09.00 and 17.00, with the last allowed admission at 16.30.

Here is the full programme of events:

Għar Dalam

10.30: Għar Dalam tour in Maltese 11.00: Storytelling

12.30: Għar Dalam tour in English 12.30: Storytelling 14.00: Treasure hunt

14.30: Tour of the valley and explanation of the Wied Dalam Project (maximum 25 people) 15.00: Storytelling

Other children’s from 09.30 till 16.00:

Face painting, foam building blocks and other games

Borġ in-Nadur

09.30: Borġ in-Nadur tour in English

10.30 - 13.00: Archaeology stand offering hands-on activities for all ages with a selection of typical remains from an archaeological site. Participants will be able to learn about the different materials found as well as their contexts. 11.30: Borġ in-Nadur tour in Maltese

15.00: Borġ in-Nadur tour in Maltese activities