Arabic version: باراماتا أوبن يفتح مواقع تاريخية نادرة

According to ABC News, Parramatta Open will give visitors one-day access on Saturday to 16 Western Sydney buildings, places and spaces that are usually closed to the public. The architectural event is making its debut as the first extension of the long-running Sydney Open program beyond Sydney’s CBD.

A major attraction is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Government House, constructed between 1799 and 1818. The convict-built building was the country residence of 10 early New South Wales governors and is Australia’s oldest surviving public building. Volunteer guide Mark Ransom, who has worked with Sydney Open for about a decade, will run tours at the site.

Visitors will also be able to enter Parramatta Female Factory, described as Australia’s first and only surviving purpose-built site for female convicts. In the early 1800s, thousands of women and children passed through the complex, which served as a prison, hospital and asylum. Volunteer Khadija Ibtisam, who has a background in architecture and design, will supervise tours there.

The program also includes Elizabeth Farm, the nation’s oldest surviving colonial homestead, and newer buildings including PHIVE and the 55-storey 6-8 Parramatta Square tower. Event manager Tania Quax said Parramatta was an obvious choice because of its heritage, history and rapid evolution.

Tickets sold out before the event. Plans are in place to make the satellite event an annual part of Sydney Open, although the location for next year’s instalment has not been announced. The flagship Sydney Open event is scheduled for Sydney’s CBD on November 1.