The public will be able to discover many treasures of Valletta found in numerous museums, churches, and other remarkable locations which are normally closed in the evenings, on 6 October from 6pm onwards. Many places of interest will be highlighting Valletta’s heritage and culture during Notte Bianca Lejl Imdawwal, while some are hosting exhibitions of art and history.
In Republic Street, the National Museum of Archaeology will display an exceptional array of artifacts from Malta’s unique prehistoric periods starting with the first arrival of man in the Ghar Dalam phase (5200 BC) and running up to the Tarxien phase (2500 BC).
The Salon of Museum of Archaeology will also be hosting an exhibition of the original masterpeices of Caravaggio. The Toy Museum, also situated in Republic Street, will be open and displays a collection of antique toys. A reduced entrance fee is charged for both museums.
The Palace Armoury in Merchants Street covers the period from the 16th and 18th centuries. It is a showpiece of armour suits and weaponry. Highlights in this collection are the gold-plated armour of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt and the armour of Jean Jacques de Verdelin. The Palace will also be opening for viewing of the State Rooms, and the Paladini Chapel. Entrance is at a reduced fee.
The National Museum of Fine Arts in South Street displays a collection of paintings which are grouped together according to school from the early renaissance and baroque to the first decades of the 20th century. The Fine Arts collection also features a range of Sicilian maiollica jars and Maltese silverware. Entrance fee is reduced.
St John’s Co-Cathedral is one of the greatest artistic treasures of the Maltese Islands. It is full of history, with a vaulted ceiling that relates episodes from the life of St John and the pavement which consists of multi-coloured tombstones which bear the names of European families who served with the Knights of St John.
A good number of churches in Valletta will also remain open for the public to view some of their priceless arts works and historical artifacts. These include Our Lady of Victory Church in South Street c/w Merchants Street, St Barbara Church in Republic Street, the Sanctuary Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Old Theatre Street, and St Lucy Church in East Street. The Domus Pauli Museum in St Paul’s Street will exhibit antique and precious items from St Paul’s Shipwreck Church.
The Museum Egalite` within the Workers Memorial Building in South Street will be open and there will be viewing of an audiovisual production recounting the history of Maltese workers and the General Workers’ Union members. The National Library will be featuring an audio-visual presentation entitled “Bringing Books to Readers for enjoyment and enrichment. The presentation will be held on the hour from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. There is also an exhibition entitled “The Art of Fortress Building in Hospitallier Malta”, curated by Dr Stephen C. Spiteri, with over 110 exhibits of original knights’ plans, military reports and treaties, building tools and surveying instruments and scale models of fortifications. Website: www.fortress-explorer.org
The La Vallette Band Club in Republic Street, St Albert the Great, the Auberge D’Aragon (Ministry of Internal Affairs), the Italian Cultural Institute and Rodex Arts and Crafts will also be open.