Heritage Malta, in collaboration with the Birgu Local Council, presents the return of Museums by Candlelight on Saturday 18th April, transforming historic Birgu into a spectacular candlelit setting for one unforgettable evening.

This year, three landmark sites will open from 7:00 pm until midnight (last admission at 12:00 am): Fort St Angelo, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and, for the first time, St Lawrence Church and Museum. Over 15,000 candles will illuminate these sites, creating a unique atmosphere where heritage, history, and ambience come alive.

At Fort St Angelo, you are invited to walk through centuries of Maltese history shaped by warfare, resilience, and transformation. Standing proudly at the tip of the Birgu peninsula and overlooking the Grand Harbour, this formidable fortress has guarded the islands since medieval times, when it was known as Castrum Maris. Strengthened by the Order of St John after 1530, it played a decisive role during the Great Siege of 1565 before serving as a major coastal stronghold and Royal Navy base. Today, as you explore its bastions and passageways, you will discover immersive historical displays, remarkable artillery, and sweeping panoramic views – an experience that brings Malta’s strategic legacy vividly to life.

At the Inquisitor’s Palace, you will discover one of Malta’s most evocative historic buildings, serving both as a historic house museum and the National Museum of Ethnography. Built in the 1530s and transformed into the seat of the Holy Office in 1574, the Palace functioned as the centre of the Roman Inquisition in Malta for more than 224 years. As you explore its rooms, you will see the striking contrast between elegant private apartments and grand reception halls, and the stark tribunal chamber, prison complex, and interrogation spaces, reflecting the Inquisitor’s dual role as ecclesiastical diplomat and supreme judge. This layered experience, linking domestic life, official duties, and Malta’s cultural heritage, is further enriched by the National Textiles Collection.

St Lawrence Church and Museum in Vittoriosa offers a rare opportunity to explore one of Malta’s most historically rich and artistically significant ecclesiastical complexes. Visitors can admire remarkable treasures, including Grand Master Jean de Valette’s hat and battle sword, rare 16th-century silver artefacts brought from Rhodes by the Knights of St John, and a Venetian painting attributed to Palma Vecchio. The church itself is an architectural masterpiece by Lorenzo Gafà, housing Mattia Preti’s monumental depiction of the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, historic reliquaries, Gothic altar crosses, and wooden apostles sculpted by Mariano Gerada.

The evening will also feature live entertainment at two of the venues.

Harpist Jacob Portelli will perform at the Inquisitor’s Palace from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

At Fort St Angelo, Bernie & Pod and Kathy the Violinist will entertain audiences from 8:30 pm till midnight and from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm respectively.

Visitors can also enjoy a historical re-enactment of the In Guardia at Fort St Angelo, along with artisan stalls and food and beverage stands.

General admission tickets, giving access to all three sites, are available for just €3 and can be purchased online, at any Heritage Malta museum or site, or at the door of Fort St Angelo and the Inquisitor’s Palace during the event. Heritage Malta members enter free of charge, although pre-booking is still required.

Tickets are non-refundable. Please note that online ticket purchase does not provide priority access.

Accessibility Notice: Please note that the sites include multiple stairways and uneven surfaces, which may present challenges for visitors with reduced mobility.