Ħaġar Qim

From maltawiki.com

This article is about the ancient megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim. See also the article about tourist attractions on Malta or the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in Malta.

The Ħaġar Qim is a UNESCO world heritage site. The name of the temple complex comes from 'Jadjar-Kim', meaning 'cult-stones', or 'monument stones'. The temples are near to the rocky bathing spots around the Blue Grotto.

[edit] Construction

The Ħaġar Qim is a megalithic limestone temple complex. The Ħaġar Qim is the best preserved out of the four megalithic limestone temple groups that has been discovered on Malta. The temple complex consists of three temples, with more constructions in the near vicinity. The main temple is dated to between 3600 and 3200 BC, though this is not the oldest in the group. All the temples follow the same basic design of oval rooms and and semi circular recesses. From above the temple’s interior follows a clover leaf design but with five leaves. The right apse has an inner interior which may have been for sacrificial preparations, and the left has three high table altars.

One of the most eye catching features of the Ħaġar Qim is the 57 tonne upright stone standing 5.2 metres high on the southern wall. This stone raises the same question as the construction of the pyramides and the Stonehenge: How did it get there? The temple complex in Ħaġar Qim is older than both the pyramides and Stonehenge.

[edit] Modern day development

Hagar Qim, along with nearby Mnajdra temple complex, have now been covered over with a permanent protective cover because of the serious deterioration of the monuments.

In 2008 a new visitors centre was completed for the historical site. The visitor's centre is constructed by Heritage Malta and has been the subject of big controversy. The visitor's centre complex is built right next to the ancient constructions and completely dwarfes the historical site. It has been critizised for being larger than it needs to be.