Plan of the Temple Complex at Hagar Qim
The Hagar Qim temple complex was built during the Tarxien phase, between 3000 BC and 2500 BC. Six large, circular rooms are connected by an interior passage. Most of the rooms also have outside entrances, and an open-air shrine is set into the outer wall. Hagar Qim is noteworthy for its impressive and finely-smoothed entrance facade, for the huge stone blocks used in its construction, and for its associated artifacts such as the sleeping female figure and other female statuettes, and a four-sided altar with plant carvings.
photo courtesy of MaltaVoyager by Stephania Borg
Entrance Façade
The monumental entrance facade of Hagar Qim is one of the most famous sights in Malta. The scale and fine workmanship of this facade leave a permanent impression on the visitor. It has been theorized that the numerous prehistoric stone temples of Malta were built in a spirit of rivalry by competing clans or chiefdoms, each trying to outdo the other in size, beauty, and overall impact.
photo courtesy of MaltaVoyager by Stephania Borg
Outer wall
Sophisticated visual and engineering effects like this as seen in the picture are found throughout the temples, often where one least expects them. The line of this stone beautifully defines the inward tilt of the temple wall, without any visible means of support. Triangular "sockets" have been carved into the base of the uprights, and also where two uprights join together.
Interior
The interior hallway is flanked on either side by stone altars. Just beyond the altars are uprights with pitted decorations. In the center far background is a modern fencepost leading to the sea. In the left foreground is one of the extraordinary hollow square "frames".
photo courtesy of MaltaVoyager by Stephania Borg
Apse
Interesting features of apses include the corbelling, finely fitted apsidal wall stones, horizontal over vertical order of the interior wall, and incomplete reconstruction of the smaller stones which line the interior of the apse.
photo courtesy of MaltaVoyager by Stephania Borg
Plant Altar
A limestone block with spiral relief is shown above the altar. Both are copies; the originals are in the Archaeological Museum in Valetta. Note the pitted decoration on the Plant Altar and the supporting block behind it.
photo courtesy of MaltaVoyager by Stephania Borg
Visiting hours
Monday to Sunday: 9.00-17.00
Last admission: 16.30
Closed on the: 24, 25 & 31 December, 1 January, Good Friday |
