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Malta Study Tour - 2012
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Read about the tour


The 2012 Society for Industrial Archeology (SIA) Study Tour was organized by Dr. Ghirlando of the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Malta and Dr. Mary Durfee, (Fulbright Scholar to Malta, 2007/08), Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University.

The tour was further enhanced by assistance from the Rector of the university, Dr. Juanito Camilleri, and by the able efforts of Lucienne Bugeja of University Conferences. Others from the university, from HeritageMalta, local industry, and governments have all contributed to the final result.


Programme of Study Tour to Malta for members of the Society for Industrial Archeology

21st to 28th April 2012

Saturday 21st  

  • Group arrives and settles in Hotel Waterfront

Sunday 22nd   

  • Morning free and lunch free
  • Afternoon bus tour of the island.
  • Tea at Palazzo Parisio, Naxxar  (see Palazzo’s original generator, one of the first in Malta)

Monday 23rd   

  • Arrive Valletta and visit Barakka Gardens for magnificent view of the Grand Harbour 
  • Walk to Museum of Archaeology – view of museum and special exhibition ‘Metal Magic’, an exhibition of works of art from the Spanish Damascene Metal.
  • Walk to Palace
  • Palace Armoury (leaving the Armoury to go for lunch, pass by the Market to see its unique architecture with cast-iron columns)
  • Lunch at Café Premier
  • Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral
  • Walk to St. Elmo and War Museum
  • Visit War Museum
  • Leave to go to Valletta University Campus
  • Lecture on The military-naval-industrial complex and Malta's economic under/development by Prof. D. Fenech, Dean Faculty of Arts at University of Malta, Valletta Campus
  • Lecture on Malta’s Industrial Heritage by Prof. R. Ghirlando, Faculty of Engineering at University of Malta, Valletta Campus
  • Reception hosted by Rector Professor Juanito Camilleri

Tuesday 24th

  • Visit Enemalta Fuel tanks at Has Saptan
  • Visit Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Neolithic Temples
  • Lunch at Hagar Qim Restaurant
  • Heritage Malta Restoration Unit at Bighi
  • Malta Council for Science and Technology at Bighi

Wednesday 25th

  • Take boat from Ferries
  • Boat trip round Marsamxett and Grand Harbour
  • Land at Birgu
  • Visit Fort St Angelo           
  • Lunch at Two & a half lemon Restaurant, Birgu Waterfront
  • Dockyard Boiler Shop (houses some old buses and machinery)
  • Maritime Museum
  • Inquisitor’s Palace
  • Visit Birgu        

Thursday 26th

  • Visit Reverse Osmosis Plant Pembroke
  • Wied il-Ghasel (Honey Valley) pumping station (See Parabolic wall on the way)
  • Visit 1907 Workshop at Vincenzo Bugeja Conservatory
  • Railway embankment
  • Lunch at Melita Gardens, Balzan
  • Limestone Heritage
  • Walking tour of Mdina -  Silent City

Friday 27th

  • Farsons (see aquaduct on the way)
  • Visit the Xemxija underground mill
  • Lunch at The Chef Restaurant, Xemxija
  • Agro-tour at Mgarr
  • Ximenes Redoubt near Salina Salt pans (talk by Mr. Stubbings)         

Saturday  28th

  • Visit Marsa Power Station
  • Lunch at Rizzu Restaurant, M’Xlokk Fishing Village
  • Visit Rinella Battery and the Hundred Ton Gun at Fort Rinella, plus re-enactment
  • Final Dinner at Ta’ Kris Restaurant, Sliema


Society for Industrial Archeology
Email: sia@mtu.edu
Tel.: 906-487-1889


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