<< Feature Articles >> Top 10 megalithic sites to visit in Malta
Submitted by Andy B on Sunday, 18 September 2016 Page Views: 5567
Multi-periodCountry: Malta Type: Ancient TempleInternal Links:
Ħaġar Qim
Now covered by a lightweight roof to slow down erosion of its fragile limestone structure, Ħaġar Qim is Malta's best preserved megalithic temple and has to be seen to appreciate its subtle yet imposing architecture. It has a trilithon entrance, well constructed corbelled walling and what look like mushroom or table altars inside. A shrine in the northeast wall has an oracle hole leading through from an originally concealed chamber to the inner apse of the temple.Ġgantija
Two megalithic temples on the smaller Maltese island of Gozo, built around 5,500 years ago. They share the same outer wall and façade which is still preserved to a height of 6 metres. The outer wall is built out of huge alternating blocks, and in common with the other great temples it has an 'oracle hole', hewn thorough the solid rock to connect with an external chamber.Mnajdra
Mnajdra stands 500 metres to the west of Hagar Qim on the edge of a promontory and facing the sea, giving it the most evocative atmospheric of Malta’s megalithic sites. It is a complex with three temples centred on a near-circular forecourt .Tarxien
The Tarxien Temples are the most complex of the Maltese Temples but the town encroaching around them somewhat dampens the atmosphere compared with Ġgantija or Mnajdra. It is comprised of four immediately adjacent, joined temples. Read more about them on our page for this site.
'Clapham Junction' Cart Ruts (Misrah Ghar il-Kbir)
The cart ruts that criss-cross the island are a mysterious feature not seen in many other places in the world. Were they just for lining up loads or transporting things? If so, it seems they date from the later Bronze Age, or possibly Punic / Roman times - either way well after the megalith builders. Or did they perhaps have some other use, perhaps diagrams, maps or for religious processions?The 'Clapham Junction' site is the most impressive and dense concentration of cart ruts anywhere in Malta, with at least 30 pairs visible, we have listings of many more.
Tal-Qadi
The only known example of a Maltese temple which is not orientated south-east/south, since this would have opened out onto a steep slope. Having been used as a garden, it is now has a curious mix of wild and domesticated plants. On his visit, Sem felt that 'unlike other sites which feel sterile, Tal-Qadi seemed to be reclaimed by nature, not dying'Tas-Silg
A multi period site, with the Punic temple of Astarte, later temples and the 4th century monastery, excavaions in the 1960s revealed an underlying prehistoric temple.Xagħra circle
Another site on Gozo, and important archaelogically. Although full access is strictly by appointment you can see it pretty well through the wire fence. The site is thought to be associated with the Ġgantija Temple and may have been communal burial temple and ritual site in a similar way that the Hypogeum is associated with the Tarxien Temple.Gozo Museum of Archaeology
Recommended by SolarMegalith, and not as well known as the temples but definitely worth a visit. Includes figurines from Xagħra Circle and other artefacts from Temple Period, as well as Punic finds and pottery discovered in the shipwrecks in Xlendi Bay. The museum is located within the citadel in Victoria, not far from the cathedral.
The Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni
Our no. 1 'site to visit' might have been this spectacular rock-cut tomb, commonly known as 'The Hypogeum', but it is currently closed for environmental restoration. This underground space was elaborately carved and extended over its period of use. One area, the 'Oracle Room' has spiral designs painted in red ochre and the whole complex has intriguing acoustic properties.Remember to use all your senses
In his book, 'An Archaeology of the Senses', Robin Skeates recommends you explore prehistoric Malta with all five senses, opening yourself to thoughts of ringing / roaring rocks, texture and synaesthesia (joining or overlapping of the senses). Also think about the spaces and how you move through them - procession, balance and the full movement of your body (proprioception). Lastly 'sixth sense' should be considered in a much broader way than we have been used to. As well as thoughts of shamanism and ecstatic feelings, think about your full range of emotional response, to include “strong emotional and intuitive feelings, embodied experiences and perceptions, love, joy, disgust, anger, hatred, grief, shame, loneliness, fear etc”. I certainly hope you don't experience all of these on your visit but it's certainly food for thought!All in all, Malta is a place not to be missed if you are searching for holiday destinations with megalithic sites to visit.
The Megalithic Portal has hundreds of pages and thousands of photos of sites in Malta and Gozo, continue your explorations here. You can choose types of site and narrow down by Condition, Ambience (our subjective opinion of course) and ease of Access.
For more about visiting the ancient sites of Malta see Heritage Malta.
Ref: An Archaeology of the Senses - Prehistoric Malta by Robin Skeates (Review here)
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