Tarxien Temples

The Tarxien Temples are a popular archaeological site in the heart of Tarxien village in Malta. It lies around 400 m east of the Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, another famous temple in Malta. The Temples were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1992.

The Tarxien Temples encompass the remnants of four megalithic temples, including massive stone blocks, animal reliefs, enormous statues & altars, & other embellishments. Three of the four temples have been built with the same five-apse plan which other temples on the island have, but the central temple has a distinct design with six apses and was probably roofed. The temple complex was discovered by a farmer Lorenzo Despott in 1913. These megalithic structures were built in the late Neolithic age, between 3600 and 2500 BC, and were reused during the early Bronze age. After the excavation, the site is believed to be extensively used for rituals and involved animal sacrifice. Moreover, some areas within the complex were turned into a cremation cemetery in the early bronze age. The entire site, including the main entrance, was restored in 1956. Remarkably, with four constructions in one complex, it is the largest ancient site on the island of Malta.