UNESCO World Heritage Site – Tarxien Temples

Honestly, I can’t remember when was the last time I visited the Tarxien Temples, but it was nice to go again and refresh some of my history knowledge.

The Tarxien Temples are an archaeological complex consisting of four megalithic structures build between 3600 and 2500 BC. This UNESCO World Heritage site is proud to have the largest collection of stone sculptures to be discovered in any of Malta’s Megalithic Temples. Also notice the designs on the temples, they were all created by using only stone or bones and (of course) a lot of patience.

The Tarxien Temples were discovered by local farmers in 1913 and excavated in between 1915 and 1919. The oldest of the four structures only survived at the ground level, but the five-apse plan is still visible. The remaining ones are the South Temple, the East Tempe and the Central Temple. The South Temple is the most decorated one, the South Temple has well-cut slab walls and ‘oracle’ holes with cremation remains suggesting that it was used as a Bronze Age cremation cemetery and the Central Temple has evidence of arched roofing.

The elevated walkway that gives you the chance to view the prehistoric remains from a better view was completed in 2012. The shelter over the Tarxien Temples to protect it from the elements was finished one year later in 2013.

The site isn’t very large, but it will still take you comfortably 30 – 40 mins to walk around while reading all the descriptions. The tickets are €6 for adults and €3 for children.