Hagar Qim
Description
Discovered under a mound of rubble in 1839, the Neolithic temples of Hagar Qim, which date from 300 BC, are some of the oldest man-made structures in the world. Reminiscent of England’s Stonehenge, the temples are built of limestone rock, some towering six metres (20ft) high, and weighing several tonnes. The complex is an impressive maze of corridors, chambers, niches and altars, all carved out of stone using flint. On the morning of the summer solstice, sunlight passes through a hole known as the ‘oracle hole’ and fills the apse of the temple. The nearby Mnajdra temples are also breathtaking and are included, along with the Hagar Qim, Tarxien, Ta’Hagrat, Skorba and Ggantija temple complexes, on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Air: Malta International Airport. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: Road towards Wied Zurrieq (from Valletta).
Contact Addresses
Museum of Archaeology, Auberge de Provence, Republic Street, Valetta, Malta
Tel: 2122 1623 or 2123 9545
Website: www.heritagemalta.org
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