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The Limestone Heritage is a
family run living exhibition located in the outskirts of the village of Siggiewi,
Malta, one of the main
quarrying districts in Malta.
The husband, a quarryman by trade, is the son of the former President of
the Quarry Owners Association of Malta. His family has been running and
operating quarries for a number of generations. The wife is the daughter of
a leading building contractor who made his fortune in the building boom of
the 1960s. Her grandfather and his ancestors were builders. Thus, The
Limestone Heritage is a personal expression of an intimate relation with
limestone building and quarrying traditions, which this family was brought
up in. It is an experience, which this family wants to share with you.
The Exhibition
The Limestone Heritage is the latest, most exciting and original attraction
designed to give a thorough insight into the past and present treasures of
these islands.
Situated just outside the vernacular village
of Siggiewi, it recounts 5000
years of ingenuity that gave the world the earliest freestanding structures
in stone, pre-dating the famous pyramids of Giza. This exhibition is located just a
few kilometers away from the two megalithic complexes of Hagar Qim and
Mnajdra, dating to Neolithic times, nowadays acknowledged as World Heritage
Sites.
Spread over an area of .33 hectares and with the gleaming, massive walls of
the towering, honey coloured limestone walls, serving as a most impressive
backdrop, visitors will unravel how the inhabitants of these islands have
consistently exploited their meager natural resources to carve out a
remarkable social and cultural heritage throughout the ages, aided by a
multilingual audio tour and specially designed dioramas. They will also
make a journey of discovery through millions of years, comfortably sitting
in the air-conditioned environment of the auditorium.
Main attractions at The Limestone Heritage include a walk-through on which
was the seabed, twenty two million years ago with fossils still embedded in
the rock, the internal structure of a typical Maltese farmhouse, a citrus
grove, vintage vehicles, machinery and much more.
Complimenting the traditional environment of the open-air displays is a
spacious, fully air-conditioned modern complex where visitors can witness
exquisite stonework being created. Beyond a welcoming reception foyer, this
building incorporates special displays of rare and original artifacts.
The attraction is considered by many as on of the first places to visit in
Malta as it offers such a comprehensive and impressive background for
Malta's other attractions, be it the Silent City of Mdina, Mosta Dome or
the various temples dotted around the island. It offers a deeper insight of
Malta's
foundation and its culture. It is the only one of its kind in Malta and indeed one of a very few currently
found in Europe.
"The Limestone Heritage" is the long overdue attraction that
gives credit to the ingenuity and the skill of the Maltese craftsmen. By
projecting Malta's
historical and cultural heritage, this exhibition is a key way of satisfying
demands which tomorrow's tourists are increasingly seeking, namely
destinations which are unique and attractive. The permanent exhibition is
effectively an on-going programme of different 'temporary exhibits'.
A veritable experience that visitors to our island simply cannot miss.
Access
Great care has been taken to ensure easy access to the "Heritage
Complex" especially for people with special needs.
Catering
The air-conditioned cafeteria offers hot and cold beverages, a selection of
typical Maltese snacks and panoramic views of the surroundings.
Gift Shop
Specializing in delightful and unique gifts to suit all pockets, together
with interesting video, books and local crafts.
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