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HERITAGE Malta invites the public to experience history in a truly magical setting with the final 2025 edition of Museums by Candlelight in Rabat and Mdina. St Paul's Catacombs, the Dom- vs Romana, and the National Museum of Natural History will welcome visi- tors during extended evening hours, illuminated by the warm glow of thou- sands of candles and accompanied by live music. Following the success of previous editions in Birgu and Valletta, this en- chanting concept now comes to three of Malta's most iconic sites, set within the timeless surroundings of Rabat and Mdina, the island's historic capital. Tak- ing place on Saturday 20th September, from 7pm until midnight, the event promises visitors a unique multisenso- ry experience where history, art, nature and culture are brought vividly to life. At St Paul's Catacombs, guests can explore Malta's earliest and most ex- tensive evidence of Christianity within underground chambers dating back to Punic, Roman, and Byzantine times. Here visitors will also have the rare opportunity to view a replica of the George Cross – a powerful emblem of Malta's bravery and resilience – just days after the celebration of the 83rd anniversary of its public award cere- mony. It also reminds us how the cat- acombs were used as shelters during the Second World War. Adding further magic to the atmosphere, the acous- tic duo Jodi & Ian will be performing soulful harmonies among the candlelit pathways. A short stroll away, the Domvs Roma- na offers a window into Malta's Roman past. Passing beneath its iconic 1920s portico, visitors step back in time, dis- covering exquisite mosaics and inter- esting artefacts that reveal the refined lifestyle of a Roman aristocratic family. The elegant notes of harpist Laetitia Troisi De Menville will fill the villa's timeless spaces, creating a serene mu- sical backdrop to this journey into an- tiquity. Meanwhile, the National Museum of Natural History, housed within the Baroque 18th-century Vilhena Palace, presents fascinating displays includ- ing a mummified Nile crocodile, a fos- silised crocodilian head unearthed in Gozo, and a tooth from the extinct gi- ant white shark. Complementing these wonders of nature, Knights era re-en- actors will animate the Palace till 8pm and Kathy the Violinist will enchant au- diences with her evocative violin mel- odies. Admission is available for a donation of just €3, granting access to all three sites. To make the most of this spe- cial evening and avoid queues on the night, it is recommended to prebook online on https://heritagemalta.mt/ store/c449/, or at any Heritage Mal- ta museum or site. Tickets will also be available at the door during the event Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended, as the experience involves walking between venues and exploring each location on foot. MUSEUMS BY CANDLELIGHT: THE FINAL 2025 EDITION IN RABAT AND MDINA maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 SEPTEMBER 2025