Month: October 2022

The UNESCO-listed Hagar Qim Temples attract visitors who are interested in Malta’s megalithic sites. Perched on a rocky hilltop plateau, this archaeological site on Malta’s rugged southern coast overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and the Island of Filfla in the distance.

The ancient site, which dates from 3600 BC to 3200 BC, was buried beneath earthen mounds until its discovery in 1839. The striking entrance is made up of two upright stones supporting one stone lintel.

The architects of these magnificent prehistoric temples did not use a symmetrical layout of the three chambers. Instead, the chambers and apses communicate with one another, but not in a consistent manner. Each temple was designed to be a unique place of worship.

This 5,000-year-old site’s largest megalith is more than seven metres long and weighs approximately 20 tonnes. The small boulders scattered around the site were used as castors to move the massive megaliths into position.

Artifacts discovered on the site, including the Fat deities, thought to be fertility symbols, and the nude Venus of Malta, are on display at Valletta’s National Museum of Archeology.…

The Mnajdra Temples, which share the UNESCO listing of the Hagar Qim Temples, are located 500 metres away from the Hagar Qim Temples in an isolated stretch with stunning sea views. This archaeological complex consists of three distinct structures.

The South Temple, the oldest structure, was built between 3600 and 3200 BC. The other two temples were constructed between 3150 and 2500 BC. These three structures represent the Ggantija Phase (circa 3000 BC to 2200 BC), a significant period of Maltese Bronze Age development.

The South Temple’s doorway is the most intriguing feature of Mnajdra Temples. The doorway is flanked by two massive blocks with small holes that mark the position of the rising sun on the Equinoxes (first day of spring and autumn) and Solstices (first day of winter and summer) (the first day of summer and winter).…