Tarxien Temples

Tarxien, Southern Region, Malta

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The Tarxien Temples in Tarxien, Malta, are a remarkable prehistoric temple complex built between about 3250 and 2800 BC, making them among the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

The site forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Megalithic Temples of Malta and represents the peak of Malta’s Neolithic temple-building culture. The complex consists of four interconnected temples decorated with intricate stone carvings, spiral motifs, altars, and reliefs depicting animals such as bulls and pigs.

These artistic details provide valuable insight into the beliefs, rituals, and craftsmanship of the island’s ancient inhabitants. Discovered in 1913 and excavated by Themistocles Zammit, the temples revealed some of Malta’s most important prehistoric treasures, including fragments of a colossal statue. Today, the Tarxien Temples are one of Malta’s most significant archaeological sites, offering a fascinating glimpse into a civilization that flourished over 5,000 years ago.