The pre-historic temples of Malta, referred to as an echo from an ancient skyline, are probably the most fascinating attraction on these islands of history and romance. Witness in person these awesome structures, from thousands of years ago, built by the first inhabitants of Malta.
For a whole morning, you will be immersed in mystery and fascinating architectural feats that have no parallel in the contemporary Mediterranean. The neolithic islanders did not adopt outside cultural ideas nor did they influence other civilisations. This phenomenon remains one of the most puzzling aspects of this prehistoric island culture.
During the Pre-Historical Temples guided tour you will be visiting three of such temples.
Ghar Dalam, or the 'Cave of Darkness', gives its name to the first phase of Maltese prehistory (5000 - 4500BC). The cave was one of the earliest sites used by Neolithic man who crossed to the Maltese islands from Sicily around 5000BC. Even more remarkable than the evidence of prehistoric man was the discovery of thousands of fossilised animal bones.
Tarxien Temples. This complex is the largest and most recent of the 'Copper Age' temples in Malta. It is also the most elaborately embellished and the richest repository of prehistoric art on the islands, untouched for thousands of years. No metal tools were used and the ornamentation, in the form of spiral reliefs and carved animals, suggests a sophisticated community of temple builders and carvers.
Hagar Qim means 'Standing Stone' and though the globigerina limestone has been badly eroded, especially on the seaward side, the site still retains megaliths of huge proportions. The largest is 7m by 3m, which - with a block from the Ggantija Temples on Gozo - is the largest used in any of the temples.
Reference Code: TEMPLE
Duration: 4 hours
Itinerary: Pick-up from hotel, Hagar Qim Temples, Tarxien Temples, Ghar Dalam (Cave of Darkness), transfer back to hotel.
Includes: Transport, bi-lingual guide, assistance from our representative, entrance tickets.
Applicable: Groups
|
|
