Part of the silent city of Mdina was transformed into an Egyptian market over the weekend, as the filming of Alejandro Amenábar's Agora reached its 12th week.

The film set was located in Magazine Street and the adjacent lanes which were covered with gravel and sand. The city's electric lanterns were covered with sack cloth, ancient-looking doors were placed in front of the entrances to residents' houses and wooden mushrabiyas - latticed screens that allow ventilation - hid windows, recreating the look of the early AD era in Egypt.

Magazine Street was lined with stalls selling ancient artefacts, papyrus fans, fruit and vegetables, stuffed birds, straw baskets, pottery jars and multi-coloured carpets and blankets.

A well, complete with a leather basket to bring up water, reminiscent of Biblical times, and columns with Egyptian hieroglyphs were constructed. Statues of the falcon-headed Horus, the Egyptian god of the sky, and Maahes, the lion-god of war, added to the mystical atmosphere. Egyptians linked their gods to members of the animal kingdom.

Sun shades made of reeds brought some relief to curious tourists and locals who roamed the area freely on Sunday as the film's crew took a rest.

One of the visitors was Italian singer Lucio Dalla accompanied by his backing singer Irene Fargo and other members of his team a few hours before they flew home. Dalla gave a concert at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta' Qali on Friday.

The set was being dismantled yesterday.

Shooting of the epic film, which started on March 17, has taken place in Valletta, Delimara, Marsaxlokk and Ricasoli.

Production is scheduled to wrap by the end of next month.

The film stars Rachel Weisz of The Mummy fame and Max Minghella, son of British film director Anthony Minghella who died on March 18, the day after the filming started.