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<< Our Photo Pages >> Ggantija - Ancient Temple in Malta in Gozo

Submitted by enkidu41 on Monday, 31 October 2011  Page Views: 24804

Multi-periodSite Name: Ggantija Alternative Name: Ġgantija
Country: Malta Island: Gozo Type: Ancient Temple
Nearest Town: Victoria  Nearest Village: Xaghra
Latitude: 36.047282N  Longitude: 14.269136E
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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I have visited· I would like to visit

wreilly988 would like to visit

htrismegistus visited on 1st Jan 2024 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 4 Out of the ruined sites in Malta this seems to have the largest stones!

emerald visited on 2nd Nov 2022 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Amazing site in the village of Xaghra. Buses every hour on Gozo, some go to the village itself or others stop 2km away A stylish visitors centre seems out of place in the village and a walk through the museum and exhibits leads you to a walk to the temple itself. Its obviously very impressive. Part of the temple is still held up by scaffolding but with the age and the sheer size its in need of support. Breathtaking to be honest. A small shop leads you out back into the village where the bus stop is literally metres away Beware the day tours give 45 mins to this site and then onto others. I am glad l made my way there and spent time as and when l pleased A few sets near the site would be good Heritage Malta, it can be bakingly hot

mlc visited on 3rd Jul 2022 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 5

Catrinm visited on 18th Mar 2019 - their rating: Amb: 4 Access: 5 One of the only Malta/Gozo temples without protective tent now which affs to its attractiveness . Well organissed access and exhibition of artefacts including amazing goddess figures good tgeyve kept them at the site

43559959 visited on 4th Jan 2018 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

dazedemon visited on 11th Apr 2015 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 5 Access: 5

SolarMegalith visited on 22nd Mar 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 3 Access: 5

Tigerflea visited on 5th Apr 2012 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Seeing a wheat like wild grass growing in patches around the complex, having just been made aware of the suggestions that grass domesticated itself while the walking monkey built cave like structures within which to performed the deeds understood required to aid the deceased journey to the realm of ancestors, seems like more than a coincidence.

lucy78green visited on 8th Dec 2011 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 3

lscollinson visited on 9th Jun 2004 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 5 Access: 5 A truly awe inspiring place which got me hooked and set me off on a lifelong passion for these ancient sites.

Antheabarnes visited on 1st Jan 0000 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 4 Access: 5 Very interesting site. A bit of a walk for my mother who is disabled and cannot walk well but she managed.

MegalithJunkie visited - their rating: Amb: 4

HChavez visited - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

sem Andy B DrewParsons myf lizh have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 2.82 Ambience: 4.08 Access: 4.58

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : Ggantija ("the Goddess's Tower) was built about 5,500 years ago and consists of 2 unconnected temples enclosed by a single outer wall each with a single entrance in a common facade. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Standing on the south-east slope of Xaghra hill in Gozo, this temple complex is reputed to be the oldest free-standing structure in the world.

It comprises two temples, built around 5,500 years ago, enclosed by a single outer wall. The temples do not have any communicating entrances between them but each has a single entrance on a common façade which is preserved to a height of about 6 metres in the left-hand corner. The outer wall is solidly built of huge blocks with alternating headers and stretchers.

The South temple is built in a 5-apse plan and is the earlier of the two as well as being the larger and better preserved. Entrance to it is over a huge flat threshold slab and is partially obstructed by a stone block in which a basin has been hewn.

The North temple was built considerably later than its companion in an evolved 4-apse plan where the 5th apse has become simply a shallow niche. Its entrance is similar to the South temple but with a narrower and shorter threshold.

Note: Lightweight walkways, virtual tour and environmental monitoring part of public/private restoration project at Ggantija
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Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : big ol' back walls ... (3 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by ShamrockStone : Ġgantija Temple (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by tfar : Scale model of Ġgantija Temples, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, Malta (Vote or comment on this photo)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : (1 comment - Vote or comment on this photo)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : Looking into right-hand temple - with people from Peckham! (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by DrewParsons : A view inside the temple complex. I had to walk from the ferry to the site in the middle of the island as there was a transport strike on the day I visited Gozo. It was a several kilometre walk each way through pleasant scenery.

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : A long-range composite shot of the Temple taken from the top of In-Nuffara hill to the west, the site of the Bronze Age settlement. (2 comments)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : Offering stone. Spot the carvings (this is a copy, the original is in the Archaelogical museum) (1 comment)

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : Inside left hand temple. Notice how high the walls are ...

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by SolarMegalith : Well-preserved apse in the eastern temple (photo taken on March 2013).

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by DrewParsons : Inside the site in April 2000

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : This monolith is plugged into the wall and seems to serve no structural purpose. The 'oracle hole' at the bootom is hewn out in the same shape as that in the oracle room at Hagar Qim. Oracle rooms are found at all the great temples and generally connect with an external chamber through the hole. The holes are always about 60cms above the ground except, apparently, this one. However, if the monolit...

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : Altars

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by lscollinson : Awe inspiring site on a beautiful island.

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by SolarMegalith : Right apse in the western temple. The Ggantija complex belongs to the earliest pahse of the Temple Period, dating back to 3600 BC (photo taken on March 2013).

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by DrewParsons : The outer walls in April 2000

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : The stones on the western side of the passage at the entrance to the southern temple. The four holes designed to accomodate wooden bars can be just made out on the inner vertical slab. The massive slab behind it is probably close to 4 metres high and appears to show fluting. It is not obvious whether this was a deliberate design feature or has been caused by weathering.

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : Plan of the Ggantija temples. (Reproduced from 'The Ggantija Temples').

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : Ggantija ("the Goddess's Tower) was built about 5,500 years ago and consists of 2 unconnected temples enclosed by a single outer wall each with a single entrance in a common facade. This shot shows the hole in the portal stone to the inner chamber. A similar hole in the opposite portal shows that the holes were for holding a horizontal pole to bar entrance.

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by enkidu41 : Ggantija ("the Goddess's Tower) was built about 5,500 years ago and consists of 2 unconnected temples enclosed by a single outer wall each with a single entrance in a common facade.

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by Jon : Inner left apse of western temple

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by riotgibbon : Oracle hole, maybe - fairly low though (1 comment)

Ggantija Standing Stones
Ggantija Standing Stones submitted by crickhollow : SW entrance

Ggantija
Ggantija submitted by 43559959 : Ggantija, site in Gozo.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 161m WSW 248° Ggantija Standing Stones* Standing Stones
 186m NE 37° L’Ghar Tramuntana* Cave or Rock Shelter
 298m W 275° L'Ghar ta' Gejzu* Cave or Rock Shelter
 391m WSW 256° Xaghra Circle* Stone Circle
 715m SE 146° In-Nuffara Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement
 822m W 268° Santa Verna* Ancient Temple
 1.2km NW 310° Il-Gebla ta' Sasuna* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 2.3km S 179° Ta' Lambert Stones* Stone Row / Alignment
 2.3km SE 143° Borg il-Gharib* Ancient Temple
 2.3km S 174° Ta' Lambert Cart Ruts* Ancient Trackway
 2.4km SE 145° L-Imrejzbiet* Stone Circle
 2.4km SSW 208° Ta' Blankas Cart Ruts* Ancient Trackway
 2.4km SSW 211° Ta' Blankas Stone Row* Stone Row / Alignment
 2.5km SSW 209° Ta' Blankas Dolmen B* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 2.5km SSW 209° Ta' Blankas Dolmen A* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 2.7km W 267° Gozo Museum of Archaeology* Museum
 2.7km WSW 240° Tac-Cawla Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement
 2.8km NNW 342° Ghajn Damma Stones* Standing Stones
 2.9km N 356° Ghajn Damma Stone Row* Stone Row / Alignment
 2.9km NW 316° Ta' Kuljat* Ancient Village or Settlement
 3.0km WNW 295° Is-Srug* Cave or Rock Shelter
 3.1km WSW 240° Ta' Marziena* Ancient Temple
 3.1km SSW 203° Ta' Cenc Gallery Grave* Chambered Tomb
 3.1km SSW 203° Id-Dura tal-Mara* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
 3.1km SSW 204° Id- Dura tax-Xaghra L-Kbira* Burial Chamber or Dolmen
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"Ggantija" | Login/Create an Account | 7 News and Comments
  
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Video: Fascinating Ggantija Temples in Xaghra by Andy B on Tuesday, 29 January 2019
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AlGuJJIW5A
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Ġgantija Highly Commended in BGTW's European Tourism Project 2015 awards by davidmorgan on Wednesday, 10 February 2016
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Preserving the Ggantija temples by Andy B on Monday, 31 October 2011
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Preserving the Ggantija temples

The Ggantija Temples are the most popular heritage site in Malta, and a lot of work has gone into restoring their structural integrity

The site now offers an enhanced visitor experience thanks to a direct investment of €200,000 by the Vodafone Malta Foundation. The Vodafone Ggantija Project has consisted of incorporating two new lightweight walkways which will now take visitors straight into the heart of the temples. The project also includes an interactive digital and virtual tour of Ggantija. The Temples have also been decked out with an environmental monitoring station which measures exposure to environmental elements and the site has been made safer with the installation of a remote security system. The number of visitors to Ggantija in 2010 reached 142,483 and in the first four months of 2011 Ggantija had the highest visitor numbers for all Heritage Malta sites, amounting to 44,436.

The Walkway

Thanks to the construction of two walkways inside Ggantija, visitors will have full access to the temples. This structure protects the original prehistoric floors while providing visitors with better visibility. A number of interpretation panels are incorporated in the railing design so that one has a better understanding of the prehistoric temples and an appreciation of the complex. The walkway also sports LED lighting for safe movement of visitors as well as to light up the temple structure at night.

Another element which will further enhance the visitors’ experience is the Vodafone Ggantija Interactive DVD-ROM which is a digitised version of the site with impressive 360 degrees photography. Images are accompanied by an audio interpretation where archaeology experts give visitors detailed descriptions and interpretations of each of the areas of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While highlighting the importance of this unique heritage site that represents one of the main historical attractions on Gozo, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono explained that the Vodafone Ggantija Project will continue to strengthen the government’s endeavours to restore and conserve Gozo’s rich cultural heritage. Another project which the Ministry for Gozo intends to implement through the ERDF programme relates to a conservation plan and the founding of the Ggantija Archaeological Park that will include an equipped Visitors’ Centre allowing for a collection of prehistoric remains to be permanently exhibited close to where such remains were found. “Our historical heritage has never been given as much attention as it is being given today,” she said as she referred to other projects, including the implementation of some of the proposals in the Cittadella Masterplan which will have a direct impact on Heritage Malta’s operations of the museums managed within the Citadel.

The Ggantija temples were erected around 3500BC and are reputed to be among the very first free standing structures in the world. It has survived extraordinary well, its walls in places still standing to a height of seven metres. There are two adjacent temples, the southern one on the left having had part of its wall removed to allow the northern one to be built up against it.

More at:
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=132539
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Re: Ggantija by ibex on Monday, 15 February 2010
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"Reputed to be the oldest free-standing structure in the world"? At 5500 years agO? Hardly, there are two-storey structures (free-standing) that date to 13,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean, and it the author means a "free-standing temple complex", then the site of Göbekli Tepe in eastern Anatolia is still much older at c. 11,000 years ago.
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Video of Ġgantija Temples by Andy B on Sunday, 14 February 2010
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Ggantija - Enhancing the visitor's experience by Andy B on Sunday, 14 February 2010
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After a three-week viewing period at the Ministry for Gozo, the submissions for the design contest for enhancing the visitor experience in the Ġgantija Heritage Park World Heritage Site will be exhibited in Valletta.

The design contest included proposals for: an interpretation centre (and "exit" building) incorporating all amenities and interpretation facilities, a welcoming orientation point to the cultural resources in Xagħra, a walkway to connect the interpretation centre to the temple and landscaping works.

The design contest was won by architect Robert Sant, who was selected from among 12 submissions. Alex Torpiano Martin Xuereb were awarded an honourable mention by the jury.

In the contest's memorandum, Heritage Malta declared that the winning "proposal fell within the pre-set parameters as specified by the functional brief, complying with Heritage Malta's requirements while providing a considerable area of the site for the enjoyment of the community. The proposed construction methodology will also have minimum physical impact on the site, avoiding the necessity of any rock cutting, making the proposed intervention reversible.

"Though the design is an architectural statement in its own right... it respects the sensitive archaeological and rural setting. It presents a solution which respects the context while providing a challenging counterpoint in the transition from the urban area to the Ġgantija Temple complex.

"The scheme also respects the actual temple site and also the urban context by the setting back of the Interpretation Centre from the street and allowing for space where activities can interact with the Ġgantija Heritage Park, thus integrating both realities."

Concluding, Heritage Malta felt that the winning entry "showed an understanding of the site and its problems, and seeks to enhance the inherent values of the site, offering one holistic experience to the visitors throughout the Ġgantija Heritage Park".

The total budget for the Ġgantija Heritage Park ranges around €2.5 million which also includes a study regarding the temple structure stability.

This project forms part of the €9.2 million Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project, 85 per cent of which is co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project includes works on two other sites, namely the Tarxien Temples, and St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat.

The exhibition will be exhibited at Heritage Malta's head office in Merchants Street, Valletta from Monday until February 21.

More information about the design contest and other aspects of the Archaeological Heritage Conservation Project can be viewed at: http://www.heritagemalta.org/erdf032.

Source:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100115/local/enhancing-the-visitors-experience?
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Re: Ggantija by JaneyN on Tuesday, 17 April 2007
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This is an extraordinaty site. It is so very ancient it feels like being in the presence of a dinosaur, and oh, does it have presence - when my partner and I were there it was full of German tourists but it was nearly the end of the day and we hung around a bit while the poor guardian-bloke was trying to close up for the day. We had about 20 minutes there on our own, and the atmosphere was so strong I nearly blacked out. Whatever used to go on there (I don't think any one can really be sure what it was), it is still resonant and highly charged.
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