Cultural tour to Xemxija, Selmun, Mellieha

The second of four cultural tours organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) and Heritage Malta, will visit Xemxija, Selmun and Mellieha next Sunday.

This event is sponsored by Kinnie and Marsovin.

Organised transport will leave Floriana (next to the Independence Monument) and Sliema (from The Strand) at 8.45 a.m. and visitors are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes.

In Xemxija, the tour covers the Neolithic tombs on the Bajda Ridge above the village. The six shaft and chamber tombs were excavated by Professor J. D. Evans in 1956.

At Selmun, there will be a visit to the 18th century Selmun Palace, overlooking St Paul's Bay. Designed by Domenico Cachia in 1719, Selmun Palace is often perceived as the baroque version of Verdala Palace.

It was the most important property of the Monte di Redenzione, a pious foundation set up in 1607 for the redemption of Christian slaves in the Barbary States.

The tour moves on to Anchor Bay on the west coast at the narrow neck in the north of Mellieha. Until 1979, this little inlet was used by fishermen. This bay was then transformed by Lion's Gate Films into an authentic wooden village known as Popeye Village.

The film set was specifically created for the musical production where Popeye discovers Newfoundland and calls it Sweethaven. Here, visitors will be able to relive the adventures of Popeye and his sweetheart Olive Oyl.

The other two cultural tours in this autumn series will be held on December 4 and 18.

Tickets at Lm4.20 for adults, and Lm3.30 for pensioners and children include transport, and are available from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230, Republic Street, Valletta. For more information call Noel D'Amato on tel: 2123-2515 or noeldamato@maltaculture.com by noon on November 2.

Booking forms may also be downloaded from www.maltaculture.com and presented at MCCA offices together with payment.