Tal-Qadi Temple: A Glimpse into Malta's Megalithic Past

Tal-Qadi Temple, situated in Salina, near St Paul's Bay, is a significant, yet understated, megalithic site in Malta. The temple dates back to the Tarxien phase of Maltese prehistory (3300-3000 BC), with evidence suggesting the site was in use as early as 4000 BC during the Ġgantija phase. Today, the temple is in a poor state of preservation, with only its general outline discernible.Tal-Qadi stands out as the only Maltese temple oriented towards the northeast, a deviation from the typical southern or southeastern orientation of other temples. This unique orientation is likely due to the steep slope on the south side of the hill where it was built. The remains of a central area and two apses are still visible, suggesting that the temple may have originally featured a four-apse plan common during the late temple period.The temple was discovered in 1916 by Henry Sant, and excavated in 1927 by Themistocles Zammit and L. Upton Way. A notable find during the early excavations was a broken globigerina limestone slab incised with star-like figures and a crescent shape, possibly a star map or lunar calendar, which is now housed in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Visiting Tal-Qadi offers a chance to connect with Malta's prehistoric past and appreciate the ingenuity of its ancient inhabitants, despite the temple's deteriorated condition.