Skip to Navigation Skip to Main Content
Back to Navigation
Ref.nr.: 47718

Ggantija Temples, Malta

Ggantija Temples

Details


Historic Buildings and Monuments, Visitor Centres and Museums


Address:

Opening Hours:
daily: 08.00 to 17.00

Ggantija Temples Stately Homes in Xaghra, 13th District, Malta


A Unesco World Heritage, the Oldest Free Standing Megalithic Temples in the World, older than Giza Pyramids and StoneHenge.

The Ggantija Temples in Xaghra, Gozo, are one of the most important archaeological sites in the Maltese Islands and are listed on the unesco world Heritage List. The site consists of two temples dating back to between 3600 and 3200 B.C.

The name Ggantija derives from the word ggant, the Maltese word for giant as the site was commonly associated with a race of giants. Notwithstanding its age, the monument survives in a considerably good state of preservation. This is evident in the boundary wall which encloses the two temples, and which is built in rough coralline limestone blocks. Some of the megaliths exceed five metres in length and weigh over fifty tons.

The hard-wearing coralline limestone is used extensively at Ggantija, and is one of the reasons behind the preservation of the monument. The softer Globigerina limestone is reserved for inner furnishings such as doorways, altars and decorative slabs. Each temple consists of a number of apses flanking a central corridor. There is evidence of the internal walls having been plastered and painted over, as proven by two plaster fragments with red ochre, now preserved at the Gozo Museum of Archaeology.

Remains of animal bone suggest some sort of ritual involving animal sacrifice. The use of fire is evidenced by the presence of stone hearths. A number of libation holes in the floor may have been used for the pouring of liquid offerings. It is probable that during ceremonial activities, the congregation would have assembled outside the temple complex, since the large forecourt in front of the two temples was purposely raised by the same temple builders.

Entrance to the Ggantija Temples is from a newly constructed Interpretation Centre that provides visitors with the opportunity to explore various aspects related to life in the Neolithic. The centre is also home to a selection of the most significant finds discovered at various prehistoric sites in Gozo. The Centre is linked to the temple site via an external pathway that provides visitors with unique views of the natural landscape that surrounds Ggantija.



Reasons to Visit

1. unesco world Heritage Site.
2. One of Malta’s best preserved prehistoric temples dating back to 3600/3200BC.
3. Considered as one of the oldest free standing monuments in the world preceding Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.
4. They represent a phenomenal cultural, artistic and technological development in a very early period in human life.
5. An exhibition of some of the most unique prehistoric artefacts discovered in Gozo.


Nearby Holiday Accommodation

Hotel in 13th District, Malta
Il Girna Residence Luxury Hotel Island of Gozo Malta
Hotel
13th District, Malta

Pet & Dog Friendly

From € 30.00 pppn

View Details

Location Details and other Things to Do

Nearby Things to Do

Stately Homes in 13th District, Malta
Ggantija Temples
Stately Homes 

13th District, Malta

View Details
 in 1st District, Malta
Malta Maritime Museum
 

1st District, Malta

View Details
Stately Homes in 1st District, Malta
The Inquisitor's Palace
Stately Homes 

1st District, Malta

View Details
Sailing in 7th District, Malta
Scuba Diving
Sailing 

7th District, Malta

View Details
 in 1st District, Malta
Malta Maritime Museum
 

1st District, Malta

View Details
Stately Homes in 1st District, Malta
Grand Harbour Marina Vittoriosa
Stately Homes 

1st District, Malta

View Details
 in 13th District, Malta
Barbarossa Excursions
 

13th District, Malta

View Details
 in 1st District, Malta
Malta Maritime Museum
 

1st District, Malta

View Details
Stately Homes in 1st District, Malta
Malta at War Museum
Stately Homes 

1st District, Malta

View Details
 in 1st District, Malta
Teatru Manoel
 

1st District, Malta

View Details
Shop in 5th District, Malta
MALTA EVENT DESIGN
Shop 

5th District, Malta

View Details
 in 1st District, Malta
Inquisitor's Palace
 

1st District, Malta

View Details

Nearby Accommodation Holiday Accommodation in Malta

Hotel in 13th District, Malta
Il Girna Residence Luxury Hotel Island of Gozo Malta
Hotel
13th District, Malta

Pet & Dog Friendly

From € 30.00 pppn

View Details


More Holiday Accommodation in Malta

Back to Navigation Back to Main Content Back to Top Back to Top