Summer may be over, but now that tourists are freeing up places of attraction, there is no better time to visit local museums, especially this Tuesday, when entrance will be free.

Heritage Malta will join the rest of the world to celebrate Tourism Day on September 27 by opening the doors, for free, to some of its museums and sites in Malta and Gozo.

Those in Malta include the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, Għar Dalam in Birżebbuġa, the Inquisitor’s Palace in Vittoriosa and the Domus Romana museum in Rabat.

The Domus was built around the remains of a rich, aristocratic Roman town house that was accidentally discovered in 1881. When the mosaic of the peristyle underwent restoration in the second half of the 20th century, it was lifted onto panels and placed on cement slabs.

Unfortunately, the metal rods inside the cement are corroding, causing considerable damage to the mosaic.

Heritage Malta, with the help of conservators as well as a mosaic specialist, is currently drawing up a detailed conservation report that will include the methodology required to repair the mosaic.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Heritage Malta will also be opening, for free, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Gran Castello Historic House, the Gozo Nature Museum and the Old Prison. All of these sites are located in the Citadel.

The aim of World Tourism Day is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values.

World Tourism Day has been celebrated on September 27 by the UN World Tourism Organisation since 1980.

The day of September 27 was chosen as the statutes of the UNWTO were adopted on the same day in 1970.

This year, World Tourism Day will focus on universal accessibility.

In his official message, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said everyone had the right to access leisure and tourism services, however, one billion people living with disability, along with young children and the elderly, still faced obstacles.

The difficulties included clear and reliable information, efficient transportation and public services, and a physical environment that was easy to navigate, he said.

More information on Heritage Malta’s museums and sites on www.heritagemalta.org or the Facebook page called Heritage Malta.

Archaeology Museum. Photos provided by the Malta Tourism Authority