Heritage Malta is organising a Heritage Trail entitled ‘Protecting Our Heritage’ during which participants will be visiting the Institute for Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage in Bighi at Kalkara.

The institute houses the conservation and restoration laboratories of Heritage Malta and runs undergraduate and postgraduate academic courses in the field of conservation together with the University of Malta and vocational courses organised in conjunction with MCAST. In addition, the Institute also offers a number of short courses available to the general public.

The Institute is located in the former Royal Naval Hospital which was also known as Bighi Hospital. The first stone of the hospital was laid in 1830. The building took two years to be completed at a cost of 20,000 pounds. After coming into service, the hospital served the eastern Mediterranean and provided nursing and medical facilities to sick and injured soldiers and sailors in times of war. This led to Malta being called the ‘Nurse of the Mediterranean’. The hospital was closed in 1970. Seven years later the building was used as a trade school and as a secondary school.

During the heritage trail participants will tour the paintings, textiles, objects and the book and paper laboratories and will be able to learn more about conservation practices and new methods for caring for historic treasures.

Participants are encouraged to take with them their own personal treasures to have them consulted by Heritage Malta experts on how to care for them and learn more on the services offered at the Institute on conservation and restoration.

An educational workshop for children between the ages of 8-12 years will have a hands on experience in ‘learning to protect our cultural heritage’ on conservation to encourage children to appreciate their cultural heritage.

The Heritage Trail will be held on Sunday 29 November 2009. Participants will be meeting in front of the Hotel Phoenicia at 9am and will return to Valletta at around 1pm. Tickets, costing e15 for the general public must be bought beforehand from the Heritage Malta Head Office in Merchants Street, Valletta. For booking and more information phone Heritage Malta on 2295-4312.