Driving to the picturesque town of Siggiewi – in the heart of Malta’s rural landscape – you’ll be forgiven for thinking that time seems to pass just a notch slower over here, with the quiet humdrum of village life settling on every corner. 

In some spots, it might actually feel as if it has started to turn back, leaving behind the rushed trappings of 21st century life. And Limestone Heritage – a park created in celebration of Malta’s golden limestone - is just such a spot.

As you walk into the family-run park, with the smell of summer and citrus in the air, 7,000 years of history and heritage will be laid out, each moment coming back to life through the award-winning site's audio-visual presentation and guided walk. It’s a leisurely stroll through the centuries, as the centrality of the island’s most visible commodity is made vivid. 

The emphasis here is on the wonders of the island’s natural resource, and this focus on the sustainability and virtue of the rock beneath rushes through the 30-foot high waterfall – impressive, at whatever time of day. The lemon grove, as well as the furry animals on site, are also popular with the kids, as is an exhibit showing a typical Maltese house of character, full of nooks and secret hiding places. 

The park physically comes to life, however, through the professional craftsmen, carving out their wares with the stone itself. And you can even try the craft out for yourself: Limestone Heritage offers sessions – within their professional studio and guided by tutors - in stone sculpting, during which the whole family can get their hands dirty and get stuck in, creating wonderful works to take home, or to exhibit in the park itself.

And finally, a definite highlight – available for groups of 15 people or more – is the Limoncello Making Demonstration, in which guests are encouraged to participate in preparing their very own chilled beverage using lemons from the park’s grove. After the demonstration, you can toast the experience, while also savouring some home-made lemon cake and lemonade. If you’re less than 15 people – or just not that into alcohol – the park also offers olive oil tasting sessions, during which you will learn about the history of the delicious Maltese olive and get to have a taste of some crusty Maltese bread.

The Limestone Heritage, Park and Gardens, Mons. M. Azzopardi Str. Siggiewi SGW 2050. Tel: +356 21 464 931; [email protected]; Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9m to 4pm. Audio Tours available in 17 different languages; ample parking space and wheel chair accessible.