- Address: Hagar Qim St, Qrendi, QRD 2501, Malta.
- Phone: +356 21 424 231
- Website: heritagemalta.org/museums-sites/hagar-qim-temples
Malta is a small island nation located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Millions of tourists come to Malta all year round to enjoy an excellent beach holiday , delicious and varied food, learn the history and legends of the island. If you are a fan of ancient buildings, then you should certainly visit the temple complex of Hajar-Kim.
About the temple complex
Approximately two kilometers from the village of Krendi, at the highest point of the hill, there is a unique architectural masterpiece - Hajar-Qim. The name is literally translated as "standing stones for worship." This is a megalithic temple complex , belonging to the Ggantiya phase of ancient Maltese history (3600-3200 BC).
Over the millennial history of its existence, the walls of the temple have suffered greatly from the devastating natural effects, Coral limestone was used in the construction of the temple, and this material is rather soft, non-resistant. To reduce the devastating natural impact on the temple, in 2009 a protective canopy was installed.
On the facade of the temple you will see a trilitic entrance, an external bench and orthostats (large vertical slabs of stone). The courtyard is paved with uneven stone, it leads to four separate rounded sanctuaries. There are holes in the wall that let sunlight pass through the summer solstice. The rays fall on the altar, illuminating it. This fact suggests that even in these ancient times, local residents had an idea of astronomy!
During the archaeological excavations in the temple was discovered a large number of interesting finds, statues of the goddess Venus fertility of stone and clay, many finds are now housed in the National Museum of Archeology of Valletta .
Khadzhar-Kim Temple is considered one of the oldest land structures, in 1992 Unesco named Hajar Kim a World Heritage Site.
How to get there and visit Hajar-Kim?
- from the airport you can get by bus routes №38, 35, 118 and 117;
- from Valletta shuttle buses number 74, 72;
- from Mkabba - №250, 218 and 350.
Hajar-Kim accepts visitors all year round:
- From October to March from 09.00 to 17.00 - every day, without days off. The last group of visitors is allowed in Hajar Kim at 16.30.
- From April to September - from 8.00 to 19.15 - every day, without days off. The last group of visitors can enter the temple at 18.45.
- The weekend days of the temple: 24, 25 and 31 December; 1st of January; Good Friday.
Excursion price: adults (17-59 years) - 10 euro / 1 person, schoolchildren (12-17 years), students and pensioners - 7.50 euro / 1 person, children from 6 to 11 years old - 5.5 euros , children under 5 years can visit the temple for free.
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