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Ġgantija Temples: Gozo's Megalithic Marvel

Discover the ancient Ġgantija Temples in Gozo, Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's oldest free-standing structures.

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Explore the Ġgantija Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Gozo, Malta, predating the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. These Neolithic structures, built between 3600 and 3200 BC, showcase remarkable megalithic construction and offer insights into prehistoric life and ritual practices.

A brief summary to It-Tempji tal-Ġgantija

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking on uneven surfaces and an outdoor pathway.
  • Visit the Interpretation Centre first to understand the historical context before exploring the temples.
  • Bring water and sun protection, especially during the summer months.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Ta' Kola Windmill, included in the same ticket.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Valletta or other towns in Malta, take a bus to Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal. Then, take the Gozo Ferry to Mġarr Harbour. From Mġarr, bus line 322 will take you to the 'Tempji' bus stop, a short walk from the Ġgantija Temples. A single bus ticket costs around €2.

  • Driving

    From Mġarr harbour in Gozo, follow signs to Xagħra. Drive uphill towards the village; parking is available near the temples. Parking is generally free but can be limited. Note that taking a car on the Gozo ferry incurs a fee (approximately €15.70 for a round trip).

  • Walking

    From the Xagħra village square, walk along Triq John Otto Bayer. The Ġgantija Temples are a short, signposted walk from the village center. The walk is mostly uphill and takes approximately 5 minutes.

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Discover more about It-Tempji tal-Ġgantija

The Ġgantija Temples, located on the island of Gozo in Malta, are among the world's oldest free-standing structures, dating back to the Neolithic period (3600-3200 BC). The name Ġgantija, meaning 'Giant' in Maltese, stems from local legends attributing their construction to giants. These temples predate Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, making them a significant archaeological site. The Ġgantija complex consists of two temples enclosed by a massive boundary wall. The larger, south temple is the older and better preserved of the two. The temples are constructed from megaliths, some weighing over 50 tons. The builders used both hard-wearing coralline limestone for the outer walls and softer globigerina limestone for inner furnishings like doorways and altars. Inside, the temples feature five large apses connected by a central corridor. Archaeological finds, including animal bones and stone hearths, suggest the site was used for communal rituals and feasting. Fragments of red ochre plaster indicate that the walls were once painted. The temples' entrances face southeast, a common orientation for Maltese temples, possibly for astronomical or practical reasons. Visitors enter the Ġgantija Archaeological Park through an Interpretation Centre, which provides context on Neolithic life and displays artifacts found at the site. An outdoor pathway connects the center to the temples.

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