Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1509870
NEWS 14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 OCTOBER 2023 ONCE again, the grandeur of Fort Manoel will be unveiled to the public during an open day on Sun- day, October 22nd, from 09:30 to 17:30. This event offers a unique opportunity to witness the restora- tion efforts and bask in the splendor of the fort. Guided tours are scheduled throughout the day, starting with a tour in Maltese at 10:30hrs, followed by tours in English at 12:00 noon and 16:15hrs, and another in Maltese at 14:00hrs. Immerse yourself in the history and architectural marvel of this Ba- roque masterpiece and be enthralled by captivating re-enactments by the Show of Arms Re-enactment Group and musical performances by the Marsa and Xghajra Scouts' pipe and drums bands. Entrance to the Fort and all tours are free of charge. Fort Manoel, a testament to Malta's baroque mil- itary architecture, was founded in September 1723 under the stewardship of Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena of the Knights of St. John. Re- stored to its former glory by MIDI plc in the early 2000s, the fort has loomed majestically over Mar- samxett Harbour for centuries. Its rich history in- cludes serving as an extension of the Lazzaretto Hospital in the 1800s and being christened HMS Phoenicia during the British era. Ample parking is available on Manoel Island. For additional information, please contact us at (+365) 2065 5500 or email us at info@midimalta.com. Fur- ther updates can also be found at https://www.face- book.com/manoelislandmalta/. 300th anniversary of the foundation of Fort Manoel THE green space above St Paul's Cat- acombs in Rabat is now being kept open for public enjoyment after the catacombs' normal closing time. Every day until the end of March 2024, Rabat residents and visitors are able to access this area free of charge between 6pm and 8pm. The area covers more than 4,500sq.m and is quiet and well-lit. It comprises amenities such as toilets, seating, and the services of a security guard. Visi- tors are not restricted to the formal- ised pathways but may roam on spe- cific grass areas within the grounds. Serving as a burial ground from Pu- nic, Roman and Byzantine times, St Paul's Catacombs represent the ear- liest and largest archaeological ev- idence of Christianity in Malta. The catacombs form a typical complex of interconnected underground Roman cemeteries that were in use up to the 7th, and possibly the 8th, century AD. They are located in the Ħal Bajjada ar- ea, also known as Tad-Dlam. The area has more than 30 hypogea, of which the main complex, situated within the St Paul's cluster, comprises a system of interconnected passages and tombs that cover an area over 2000 sq.m. The green space above the cata- combs enhances a visit to the site and makes for a more fulfilling and com- plete experience during the hypogea's opening hours. Commenting on the opening of the green space after the catacombs' closing time, Kenneth Gambin, Heritage Malta's Chief Op- erations Officer, described the area as an ideal place of respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Much like the community garden above the Abbatija tad-Dejr Catacombs, also in Rabat, the green space above St Paul's Catacombs provides an opportunity for people to feel at one with our na- tional cultural heritage. Alexander Craus, Mayor of Rabat, said that the Rabat Local Council is pleased that the area above St Paul's Catacombs is now accessible to the public in the evening, as it will serve as an open space in the centre of the locality, in an otherwise urban neigh- bourhood. "This is a space where one can re- lax and enjoy the historical and envi- ronmental aspect of our country," he said. Green space above St Paul's Catacombs now open in the evening