Heritage Malta is holding an exhibition on colonial architecture in Malta at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta. The exhibition, entitled Colonial Malta: Building a Romantic Landscape is curated by Dr Malcolm Borg of Heritage Enterprise and is open till 20 March.

The exhibition represents the architectural trends that were introduced by the British to Malta during 19th and early 20th century. A collection of images, prints and lithographs of British colonial architecture together with artefacts pertaining to the same era, on loan from various private and national collections, are on display.

The Maltese Islands experienced great change and development during the rule of the British Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries. The British brought with them a love for ancient ruins, the genius of Death and the English “natural” landscaped garden and these influenced the development of buildings, gardens and town planning.

The exhibition was inaugurated by British High Commissioner Nick Archer in the presence of Heritage Malta’s chairman Dr Mario Tabone.

To complement this exhibition, Dr Borg will discuss Romantic architecture in the Maltese Islands during two on-site lectures entitled Monuments, the Landscaped Garden and Death at the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens next Saturday and on Saturday 3 March.

Another two lectures will be held at the National Museum of Fine Arts on 22 February and 8 March. In the first lecture, Dr Borg, who has conducted research in urban planning and colonial architecture will highlight important landmarks which still survive from the Romantic epoch in the Maltese Islands. In the second lecture, Nicholas De Piro will talk about the attitudes, influences and aspirations of the Maltese people during the Romantic period.

All lectures will be held in English. Pre-booking for all activities is essential as the number of participants is limited. Complimentary tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis from the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta (tel: 21225769). The National Museum of Fine Arts is open to the public from Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.