Ġgantija Temples.

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Ġgantija Temples

The Neolithic megalithic temple complex of Ġgantija (Maltese pronunciation: [dantija], “Giantess”) is located on the Mediterranean island of Gozo. Some of the Ġgantija Temples’ megaliths are over five metres long and weigh over fifty tons. These prehistoric temples were said to have been built by giants, which is where their name comes from. These ancient constructions unquestionably show an extraordinary level of cultural, aesthetic, and technological achievement at a very early stage in human history.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Gantija Temples consists of two temples that date back to approximately 3600 and 3200 BC. The two Ġgantija temples were built during the Neolithic period, making them over 5500 years old and the world’s second-oldest manufactured religious monuments after Göbekli Tepe in modern-day Turkey. The Megalithic Temples of Malta and other comparable sites have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The structure, which predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, is regarded as one of the world’s earliest free-standing monuments.

Despite their age, the temples have been preserved in excellent condition. This can be seen in the rough Coralline Limestone blocks that make up the border wall that separates the two temples. The hard-wearing Coralline Limestone is extensively employed at Ġgantija and is one of the reasons for the monument’s preservation. Inner furnishings, such as doors, altars, and ornamental slabs, were softer Globigerina Limestone.

Several apses flank a central hallway in each temple. Two plaster fragments with red ochre, presently on exhibit at the Ġgantija Temples Interpretation Centre, show that the internal walls had been plastered and painted over.

Animal bone fragments unearthed at this site point to community rites and eating. In addition to the stone hearths present, there are several libation holes in the floor where liquid offerings were poured. To accommodate the congregation, temple builders purposefully erected the expansive courtyard of the two temples.

The Ġgantija Temples are accessible via a newly erected Interpretation Centre, allowing visitors to learn about various elements of Neolithic life. A selection of the most noteworthy finds we uncovered at numerous prehistoric sites in the area is also on display at the centre.

What is the significance of the Ġgantija temples?

The Temples are one of Malta’s best-preserved prehistoric temples and are one of the world’s oldest free-standing monuments, dating back to before Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids!

Who built the temples in Malta?

Malta and its smaller neighbour Gozo are located in the Mediterranean Sea, halfway between mainland Europe and Africa. The megalithic monuments built by Neolithic occupants five to six thousand years ago are the most famous feature of these islands.