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Malta's Megalithic Temples

Tarxien Temples Sign
Source : The author

The archipelago of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea is the site of several Megalithic Temple sites that are older than the pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge or other equally ancient and impressive sites.

According to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre:
"Seven megalithic temples are found on the islands of Malta and Gozo, each the result of an individual development. The two temples of Ġgantija on the island of Gozo are notable for their gigantic Bronze Age structures. On the island of Malta, the temples of  Ħagar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien are unique architectural masterpieces, given the limited resources available to their builders. The Ta'Hagrat and Skorba complexes show how the tradition of temple-building was handed down in Malta."
Source: Megalithic Temples of Malta, UNESCO World Heritage Centre


Fat Lady statue
Source: The author

Guest blogger and photographer Nicole visited the Tarxien Temple complex. She shared her experiences and photos with us.

"Tarxien Temple is officially the oldest man-made structure I've ever visited. The size and scope of the Temple are amazing and the way it felt to be there -- I can only explain it as magical and almost otherworldly. It was a wonderful feeling to walk around in a place where people who lived in a world so different from ours built these amazing structures to worship their goddess. 
The place felt both charged with energy and timelessly unchanging at the same time. 
While we explored the site, a local cat explored with us, winding between our legs and head-butting our knees. The warmth of the cat's attention was probably the most magical part of the afternoon while the most memorable part was seeing the Fat Lady Goddess statue. Although 'only' a copy of the original (which resides at the Archaeological Museum in Valletta), the statue was nevertheless awe-inspiring. Depicting only the bottom half of a female form, the larger-than-life statue shows exceptional skill and attention to detail. To think that this was made over four thousand years ago by people whose entire world view was different from ours is simply incredible!"

Local cat at Tarien Temples
Source : The author

For more information about Malta, check the websites mentioned above or visit Malta.com. For more information on Goddess worship and the Maltese temples, see:
The Cult of the Mother Goddess
Goddess Alive!
Megalithic Temples of Malta, Wikipedia
Malta Archaeological Sites, Visit Malta
Ggantija Temples, Heritage Malta


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