Mqabba's Tal-Mintna Catacombs and the church of the Annunciation at Ħal Millieri will both be opened to the public this coming Sunday, thanks to a collaboration between two heritage NGOs and Mqabba local council. 

Tal-Mintna Catacombs

Tal-Mintna Catacombs, managed by Heritage Malta, are a group of three small catacombs probably used around the 4th and 6th centuries AD. They remain among the best representations of rural catacombs in Malta. 

The site was first documented in 1860 by Antonio Annetto Caruana, who was shown the site by Captain Walter Strickland. 

Dr Caruana noted that these three catacombs were only accessible through a well shaft in one of the nearby houses. This use as a well meant that this historical site, originally consisting of independent catacombs, were joined by means of passages and water channel, thus causing substantial damage to both archaeology and physical site.

The catacombs will be open between 9am and 12pm and tours will be given every 15 minutes. Tickets cost €2 and can be purchased on the day from the site, with a maximum of 10 people allowed in for each tour. 

Ħal Millieri church

Managed by volunteer heritage organisation Din l-Art Ħelwa, the church of the Annunciation is a major landmark of Malta’ medieval past. 

The present edifice dates to around 1450, but archaeological excavations have shown that it was built over the site of an earlier, possibly thirteenth-century chapel, and a much older late-Roman rural complex. 

The Ħal Millieri church is best known for its medieval architectural features, and for the unique set of fresco paintings that adorn its side walls between the springing of the arches. This anachronistic cycle of holy effigies, which is believed to have been copied from the earlier chapel, has been expertly restored through the efforts of Din l-Art Ħelwa, as a fine example of Maltese medieval vernacular art.

The church will be open between 9am and 12pm, with entrance free-of-charge. 

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