Explore the mysterious and unique Neolithic temples of Malta!
One of the main things that drew me to visit Malta, other than its size (see Wandering Valletta), was its mysterious Neolithic temples. I probably watched some documentary or read about them somewhere and was hooked. I just had to see them someday.
The first settlers on Malta arrived about 5900 BCE from nearby Sicily. It’s a mystery on how they found this tiny archipelago, with two main islands Malta and Gozo, out in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The megalithic temples started showing up around 3,600 BCE. In fact, the Temple of Ggantija, on Gozo, is one of the oldest free-standing buildings in the world.
One of the many sculptures from Neolithic Malta. Many are missing their heads, which are removable/inter-changeable. Found at the museum at Hagar Qim/Mnajdra Temples.
Both Malta and Gozo, and even a couple of the outer islands, have these megalithic temples. I visited three on Malta; Tarxien, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. I also visited the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, near Tarxien, which is an underground Neolithic burial ground. I won’t be writing about that due to lack of photos, but it’s amazing.
Tarxien
The Tarxien Temples were constructed between about 3250 BCE and 3000 BCE. Multiple generations would have used and maintained these temples.
Model of the Tarxien Temple complex from the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.
What we see today, including the other temples as well, is a modern restoration of what they would have looked like when they were constructed or as close to it as they can. The temples were closed off rooms; the roofs collapsed long ago, with most of the rubble removed for visitors. They were highly decorated with statues and carved stonework, which have been removed for preservation. Some of which can be seen (especially for Tarxien) in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Experts are not exactly sure what the full purpose of the temples were. However, evidence of animal sacrifice was found in and around the temples, along with fertility statues.
The Sleeping Lady of Malta, found amongst the ruins of the Tarxien Temples.
Even after the original builders of the temples had left, some newcomers, a Bronze Age culture, still believed this place as sacred. It became a cemetery for their cremated remains.
The front temple of Tarxien, the main entrance for visitors today.
There is a walkway that goes around the outside of the site. So here is a picture of the back of the temple complex. So amazing.
It is amazing that they were able to move blocks that size.
Some of the stonework was removed for preservation. A copy can be seen here.
An altar in one of the apses.
Another one of the stones that were removed for preservation. Until recently, the temples were exposed the elements. Today, they are covered with awnings.
The original stones from the last picture. It’s amazing that those spirals survived for so long.
Hagar Qim
The Hagar Qim Temples (which means “standing/worshiping stones” in Maltese) are located across the island of Malta from Tarxien. The main temple was built between 3600 and 3200 BCE. The northern temple, which is in complete ruins, was built even earlier. Hagar Qim has a very noticeable front entrance leading to an entry way with two screened apses, which then balloons into a huge room with lots of apses. The building definitely grew over time, but it’s big strong walls kept it standing over the thousands of years.
The many apsed temple of Hagar Qim. There is a small temple in ruins to the south, seen in this model. Another ruin, the Northern Temple is not.
The impressive main entrance of Hagar Qim.
The entrance aligned with another entrance (maybe exit?) in the rear of the temple.
In the first apse area, the screen was still in place. There was a small door to allow access to the area behind.
The screen is missing in this one, but you can really see the amazing stonework of the temple. You can just make out the slight curve inwards of the walls.
Deeper into the temple, more apses. So mysterious.
Hagar Qim has an interesting, unique feature. One of the altars is only accessible from the exterior of the temple.
This amazing altar was found among the temple ruins. It can be found in the National Museum of Archaeology today.
Mnajdra
The Mnajdra Temples are located about 500m from Hagar Qim, down a hill towards the sea. Construction started about the same time as Hagar Qim, but it looks quite different. Additions to the temple complex were later added as well. There are two levels and three temples. The upper level has the oldest temple, the Primitive Temple (3600-3200 BCE) and the Middle Temple (3150-2500). The Lower Temple was built around 3000-2500 BCE. The Lower Temple is astronomically aligned, so it may have served as a type of calendar.
Model showing the Middle and Lower Temples. The Middle Temple is on the right, the Lower on the left. The Primitive Temple, not featured here, is on the right of the Middle Temple.
Hard to tell but the Lower Temple is completely to the left, the Middle Temple is in the middle, behind the ropes and the Primitive Temple is on the right.
Entrance to the Lower Temple.
Amazing stonework in one of the apses. You can see the tapering of the walls for the roof.
In the same apse is this little doorway that leads to another room.
If you look through the little doorway, you see a little room with an altar.
Another one of the apses of the Lower Temple has this really cool doorway. The stone was pecked for decoration.
The front of the Middle Temple, which has two doorways.
The right doorway kind of looks like a window.
As you go in, you enter a large room, with two apses which leads to another room with two apses separated by this doorway.
In the second room, opposite the doorway, is a large altar.
Also in the second room, in one of the apses, is this little doorway which leads to a very tiny room with an altar.
One of the great things about traveling is visiting a place that is truly unique. The neolithic temples of Malta can be found nowhere else. If you find yourself in Malta, make sure you visit at least one. They are very easy to get to by car or bus from Valletta.
Check out my next update where I head to Taormina, Sicily!
