For the very first time, Dar Saura in Rabat will be opening its doors to the public this weekend as part of the Rabat Sacrum celebrations, taking place this weekend on the 20th and 21st of September. Visitors will not only get to experience the beauty and history of this 17th-century gem but will also be given a glimpse into its exciting future.

The site, which was entrusted to the Malta Trust Foundation last year by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, is set to undergo a major transformation into a National Empowerment Hub for children and young people with disabilities.

Since then, restoration works have been well underway. Over the past 12 months, workers have cleared more than 100 skips of debris, removed old and outdated alterations, and carried out vital structural testing, 3D surveys and energy studies. During this clean-up, a significant discovery was also made: a large internal hall and other hidden rooms that had been blocked with rubble for decades. These will now be converted into a youth social club and gymnasium, bringing new life to the historic space.

Covering around 7,000 square metres, Dar Saura will eventually serve as a one-stop centre where families can access the support and opportunities their children need to thrive.

Visitors can explore Dar Saura’s historic chapels dedicated to St Nicholas and St Paul, enjoy exhibitions by ArtBeat participants and interfaith schoolchildren, and attend concerts by young musicians from Villabianca, the Foundation’s Centre for Music and the Arts. A thrift shop and a café run by volunteers will also be adding to the atmosphere, and providing a space for rest.

Interested? Here are the opening hours for Dar Saura:

• Saturday 20th September: 7.30pm – 11pm
• Sunday 21st September: 9.30am – 1pm

If you’ve ever been curious about this historic landmark in Rabat, this is your chance to visit!

Had you ever heard of Dar Saura before?