Mediaeval Reenactment at the Enchanting Bir il-Miftuħ
Calling all history buffs – Show of Arms is holding a reenactment at Bir il-Miftuħ on January 28.
Show of Arms is a local historical reenactment group who hold demonstrations at festivals, heritage sites, and more. In collaboration with HRGM (Historical Reenactment Group of Malta), Show of Arms is kicking off the year with an immersive display at the “the heart of mediaeval tranquillity” – the historic Bir il-Miftuħ, otherwise known as St. Mary’s Chapel, in Gudja.
Built in circa 1430, this Gudja chapel is one of Malta’s best-preserved examples of a parish church from the 15th century. Bishop Senatore de Mello established it as a parish in 1436, and it remained so until the Parish Church of Gudja was constructed in 1676. St. Mary’s Chapel was never in the centre of a village but it served multiple villages.
The Chapel is self-contained and demonstrates and shows promise for the management of stone constructions in Malta. With a simple rectangular layout, its dimensions are approximately eleven by fourteen metres. Between 1978 and 1980, the remnants of a fresco that adorned the interior western wall were found, encased in six layers of lime.
The reenactment will transport visitors back to Mediaeval times, to the centre of a thriving neighbourhood; When the locals gathered for their regular tasks and leisure activities as sunlight flowed through the windows, illuminating the aged stone floors; Dressed in clothing that reflected their social status, nobles, soldiers, and peasants gathered for the joyful Sunday celebration.
The modest building’s design offered a hallowed haven where the spiritual frescoes from mediaeval life blended in harmony with the thrum of everyday life. The aroma of incense and flickering candles created an ambiance that was beyond time, and gave a view into the intricate fabric of mediaeval life.
You too can immerse yourself in this enchanting atmosphere in a few weeks on January 28! The event begins at 10 am and wraps up at 4 pm. For further information, follow the event page for updates here.
