Ħaġar Qim
A surviving megalithic temple complex on Malta’s southern coast, visited through an archaeological park that also links by footpath to nearby Mnajdra.
Photo: Hamelin de Guettelet · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Country
- Malta
- Region
- Qrendi, Malta
- Civilisation
- Neolithic Europe
- Period
- Late Neolithic, 4th millennium BCE
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Ħaġar Qim is a megalithic temple complex found on the Mediterranean island of Malta, dating from the Ġgantija phase (3600–3200 BC). The Megalithic Temples of Malta are among the most ancient religious sites on Earth, described by the World Heritage Sites committee as "unique architectural masterpieces." In 1992 UNESCO recognized Ħaġar Qim and four other Maltese megalithic structures as World Heritage Sites. V. Gordon Childe, Professor of Prehistoric European Archeology and director of the Institute of Archaeology in the University of London from 1946 to 1957 visited Ħaġar Qim.
He wrote, "I have been visiting the prehistoric ruins all round the Mediterranean, from Mesopotamia to Egypt, Greece and Switzerland, but I have nowhere seen a place as old as this one."
Ħaġar Qim's builders used globigerina limestone in the temple's construction. As a result of this, the temple has suffered from severe weathering and surface flaking over the millennia. In 2009, work was completed on a protective tent.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Megalithic outer wall
- Trilithon doorways
- Stone-paved central passage
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Ħaġar Qim
No discoveries yet. Be the first to share a photo from here.
