Temples of Ta’Ħaġrat

Discovered in 1917, the archaeological site of Ta’ Ħaġrat lies in the heart of the rural village of Mġarr, in the northwest region of Malta. Occupying a position offering panoramic views over the Maltese countryside, Ta’ Ħaġrat is part of a group of megalithic sites that were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1992. These constructions bear witness to a crucial stage in the technological evolution of mankind. Ta’ Ħaġrat comprises two megalithic structures. The larger and older features a semi-circular façade and monumental gateway, while a rectangular space measuring around 2.5 m by 4.5 m is surrounded by semi-circular rooms on three sides. In prehistoric times, the eastern room was modified to accommodate the smaller structure, which has a similar plan but uses smaller stones. The entire structure is built from local superior coral limestone. Prior to excavation, Ta’ Ħaġrat appeared as a circular mound of stones covered by a large carob tree in an agricultural field. Excavations were carried out in 1923, 1925, 1926, 1953 and 1961, revealing ceramic materials from periods before and after the megalithic constructions, indicating continuous use of the site. Ta’ Ħaġrat allows visitors to appreciate the ingenuity of local megalithic construction in an era when builders possessed only stone, bone and wooden tools.