Ta' Ħaġrat: Echoes of Malta's Ancient Past

4 (512)

Explore Ta' Ħaġrat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mġarr, Malta, and discover the mysteries of these 5,000-year-old megalithic temples.

Home
Malta
Dingli Cliffs
Ta' Ħaġrat

Ta' Ħaġrat, located in the village of Mġarr, Malta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring two well-preserved megalithic temples dating back to 3600-3000 BC. These structures, among the oldest religious sites in the world, offer a glimpse into Malta's prehistoric past.

A brief summary to Ta' Ħaġrat

W999+9CW, Ta' Hagrat, Mġarr, MT
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 10 am-6 pm
Tuesday 10 am-6 pm
Wednesday 10 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-6 pm
Friday 10 am-6 pm
Saturday 10 am-6 pm
Sunday 10 am-6 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Ta' Ħaġrat.

Purchase tickets in advance online or from Heritage Malta museums, as they are not available on-site.
Combine your visit with the nearby Skorba Temples, located approximately 1 km away.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven ground.
Check the Heritage Malta website for the most up-to-date opening hours and any special events.
Allow at least 30 minutes to fully appreciate the site.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Mgarr Local Council

Discover the Heart of Mgarr: The Local Council

Parish Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven

The Majestic Parish Church of the Assumption in L-Imġarr

Mgarr Old Cemetery Landmark

Discover the Charm of Mgarr Old Cemetery Landmark

Getting There

Public Transport

From Valletta, take bus number 44 towards Mġarr. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Alight at the 'Mgarr' bus stop, which is a short 2-minute walk to the temples. A single bus ticket costs €2.
Taxi

From Mdina, a taxi ride to Ta' Ħaġrat takes around 8 minutes and costs approximately €2. Taxis are readily available in Mdina.
Walking

From the Mġarr Parish Church, walk along Triq San Pietru (St. Peter Street). The temples are located on the outskirts of the village and are easily accessible on foot. The walk takes approximately 5 minutes.

Discover more about Ta' Ħaġrat

Ta' Ħaġrat, nestled in the rural village of Mġarr, Malta, is a captivating window into the island's ancient history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises two megalithic temples, the larger dating back to the Ġgantija phase (3600–3200 BC) and the smaller to the Saflieni phase (3300–3000 BC). These temples are constructed from lower coralline limestone, the oldest exposed rock in the Maltese Islands.Excavations at Ta' Ħaġrat, which began in the 1920s, revealed that the temple complex was built upon the site of an even earlier village, dating back to 3800-3600 BC. The larger temple features a trefoil plan, with a corridor leading to a central court and three semi-circular chambers. Its concave facade includes a monumental doorway. The smaller temple, abutting the larger on the north side, has a simpler four-apse design.Though smaller and less ornate than other Maltese megalithic temples, Ta' Ħaġrat offers a unique charm. The site's rural setting provides visitors with a sense of connection to the landscape that surrounded the prehistoric temple builders. A notable discovery during the excavations was a small limestone model of a roofed building, now displayed at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. This artifact offers insight into the appearance of these megalithic structures thousands of years ago.Visiting Ta' Ħaġrat provides a tangible link to Malta's Neolithic past, allowing one to appreciate the ingenuity and skill of the ancient people who constructed these enduring monuments.