Temples of Malta. Megalithic temples of Malta: the most ancient megaliths in history

Malta is one of the most amazing countries on our planet. In the tiny territory of the islands of the Maltese archipelago, there is an incredible number of historical sights that amaze the imagination with their age and purpose. As you guessed today we will talk about the megalithic temples of Malta - the oldest stone structures made by human hands. Enjoy reading!

by the most big island state is Malta. It is here that the bulk of all the sights, including Neolithic buildings, are concentrated. We will consider the megalithic temples of Malta below.

Hypogeum Hal-Saflieni

Perhaps the most famous megalith of Malta should be considered the amazing underground temple of Hal Saflieni, which is located in the vicinity of the city of Paola. We have already talked about this historical object in the article.

Temple complex Hajar-Im (Hajar-Kim)

This megalith is located near the town of Zurrik, 15 km from the country's capital, Valletta. Hadjar-Im translated from Arabic means "standing stone". There is another version, according to which the temple is called "stones of worship." The largest neolithic stone complex in terms of area was erected in the 4th-3rd millennium BC. It owes its size to the constant expansion, which was carried out at the expense of additional buildings and structures. Outwardly, Hajar-Im is a large-scale stone structure, consisting of several structures located on a hill. All parts of the sanctuary are fenced with huge boulders. The construction of temples was carried out from soft material, which spoiled the overall appearance of the attraction over the long time of the object's existence. On the facade of one of the buildings there is an entrance made of three slabs, orthostats and a bench. In front of this temple is large playground, similar to a courtyard, which is fenced with a stone wall. The entrance leads to the center of the sanctuary, and a separate opening is designed to visit four separate buildings added later. Inside Hajar-Im, the remains of sculptures decorated with spiral patterns and ornaments were found. Today, these finds can be seen in the National Archaeological Museum of Valletta. In order to preserve the ancient interior, there are copies of these sculptures in temple visits. You can get to Hajar-Im by buses number 201 and 74. You can see the unique sanctuary every day from 9 am to 6 pm. In the cold season (from October 1 to March 31), the attraction is open from 10 am to 5 pm. On Christmas holidays, New Year and Good Friday, the megalith is closed. To view Hajar-Im, you need to purchase a ticket, which includes a visit to the neighboring Mnajdra sanctuary. A ticket for an adult will cost 10 euros. Pensioners, teenagers and children of school and preschool age discounts are provided.

Megalith Mnajdra

Next to the Hajar-Im temple (only 500 meters from it) is the Mnajdra megalith, which is not so large-scale, but more correct in terms of layout. According to historians, this sanctuary was built in 3600-2100 BC. The opening of the temple took place in 1840. Mnajdra consists of three parts: Lower, Middle and Upper temples, standing close to each other. The most ancient is the Upper Sanctuary, built in 3600-3200 BC. This building is a three-apse structure with a doorway in the form of a geometrically irregular hole. In the distant past, supporting stones were decorated with holes. The vaulted ceiling of the megalith has not survived; only a dilapidated base remains of it. The average megalith appeared in 3150-1500 BC. (late Tarxien period). It is the youngest temple of Mnajdra. It was built from stone slabs, on which there are rows of boulders lined up horizontally. The third, the Lower Temple, appeared in the early Tarxien period. He is considered the most interesting object among other shrines of Mnajdra. In front of this temple there is a small platform equipped with stone benches, a corridor (aka the entrance) built of stone slabs, and the ruins of the roof, which, according to scientists, had the shape of a dome in the past. The walls of the lower sanctuary are decorated with battlements, patterns, and there are carved windows in the slabs. The three temples described are not connected by any passages. Inside the premises of Mnajdra, many valuable finds were discovered: stone ball, which, most likely, was used by the ancient inhabitants of Malta to transport massive boulders and blocks, figurines, tools, bowls, flint knives, etc. The Mnajdra megalithic temple has the same mode of operation as Hajar-Im. To visit it, you must purchase a ticket that allows you to visit two adjacent sanctuaries of the island at once.

Megalithic Temple Bugibba

The remains of an ancient megalithic temple are located in an unusual place - on the territory of the New Dolmen Hotel, which is located between two famous Maltese resorts - Aura and Bugibba. most full information you will find about this object in the article.

Tarxien Temple Complex

One of the largest megalithic temples in Malta is located in the city of Tarxien. Tarxien Temple was built around 2800 BC. It, like the Khal-Saflieni hypogeum, was discovered by accident - during agricultural work in the field. A unique find was found by peasants working in the fields of Malta in 1914. Like Mnajdra, the Tarshien megalith consists of three sanctuaries, but unlike the first temple, all parts are interconnected by passages. This temple complex can be considered the most decorated: on almost every stone slab you can see a variety of reliefs, images of animals, spiral patterns. The first temple of Tarxien was erected around 3100 BC. It is he who is decorated with the most exquisite patterns. The middle sanctuary appeared in 3000 BC. A distinctive feature of this building is the presence of three, not two, apses. East End Tarshiena was built in 3100 BC. In the past, in front of the main entrance to the megalithic temple, there was a statue of the goddess three meters high. The original of this sculpture is in the Metropolitan Archaeological Museum of Malta, and today an exact copy stands in its place. In one of the chambers of Tarxien there is an altar decorated with a spiral pattern. It has a hole where scientists and archaeologists found a ritual knife and bones of some animal species. Not far from the eastern part of the megalith are the ruins of another temple. Its size is small, but the age of the temple is quite solid, because it was built in 3250 BC. You can get to Tarshien by buses No. 206, 84, 82, 88 and 85. You can visit the temple complex of the city every day from 9 am to 6 pm (in winter - until 5 pm). On holidays: New Year, Christmas holidays and Good Friday, the attraction is not available for viewing. A ticket to the megalithic temple for an adult costs 6 euros. There is a system of discounts for children and pensioners.

Megalith Sorrow

One of the most modest megalithic temples in Malta is Sorrow, located in the small village of Mgarr. The oldest building was erected in 4400-3000 BC. The study of Sorrow was taken up relatively late. The first excavations on the territory of the temple were carried out in the 60s of the last century. Unfortunately, this sanctuary has preserved only the external outlines of the temple that once existed. Today Skorba is a complex of vertically standing boulders no more than 3.4 meters high. The floor of the megalith was paved, the temple itself included three apses and an entrance. The first two apses and the facade of Sorrow are destroyed. Nevertheless, the finds discovered in the vicinity of the sanctuary are extremely important from a historical and cultural point of view. According to historians, the temple was built on the site of a village surrounded by an 11-meter stone wall. An ember dated to 4850 BC was found near it. Also in the temple were found samples of prehistoric ceramics, which were made by the ancient Maltese in 4500-4100 BC. You can get to the Temple of Sorrow by buses number 101 and 44. You can only admire the ancient sanctuary on Saturday, Thursday and Tuesday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. On public holidays, the site is closed to the public. An adult ticket to the megalithic temple costs 6.5 euros.

Important information! At the same time, no more than 15 people can be in the sanctuary of Sorrow.

TaʼHajrat Temple Complex

Another megalithic temple is located near the village of Mjarr, about 1 kilometer from the sanctuary of Sorrow described above. The megalithic complex includes two temples: the first one, also known as the Big TaʼHajrat, was built around 3600-3200 BC. The second, the Small Temple, appeared in 3300-3000 BC. The megalith was created from durable coral limestone. It has a unique layout, atypical for the megalithic temples of Malta. The Small Temple connects to the Great Sanctuary with north side. Archaeologists conducting excavations at the site of the sanctuary have discovered many valuable images of ceramics that date back to 3800-3600 BC. These finds indicate that there was a village on the site of the temple in an even more distant past. Also, scientists have found a valuable model of the temple on a reduced scale, more like a figurine. In 1937, the portal and facade of TaʼHajrat were reconstructed. Today, curious tourists can see only the majestic remains of the ancient temple complex. You can get to the described attraction of Mjarra by buses No. 238, 101 and 44. The operating hours and ticket prices for TaʼHajrat are the same as for the Temple of Sorrow.

Borj in Nadur

This archaeological site of the island is located in the vicinity of Birzebbuji in the southeastern part of Malta. Unfortunately, little remains of this megalith - only the foundation, folded in the shape of a shamrock. The poor condition prevents scientists from accurately determining the object's age. Archaeologists tend to believe that Borj-in-Nadur was built around 2000-1600 BC. Near this temple, the remains of an ancient village were discovered, from which only a 4-meter stone wall remained. It once protected several huts of the ancient Maltese. Inspection of this attraction is possible only by prior agreement. You can leave a request to visit Bordj in Nadur at http://heritagemalta.org/contact-us/.

Megalithic temples on the island of Gozo

On the island next to Malta, there are also several Neolithic temples, which we will discuss below.

Temple complex Ggantija

We partially talked about this object in an article about. Today the majestic Dzhgantich will be described in more detail. The named megalith is translated as "tower of giants". It is the most famous sanctuary of the island of Gozo, as well as the oldest megalithic temple in the entire state of the Maltese archipelago. Ggantija is located in the village of Shaara. It consists of two large sanctuaries that appeared in 3600-2500 BC. The shape of the megalith is typical of all other similar temples built by the ancient Maltese. It was erected in the form of a clover leaf and has a wall height of six meters. Many artifacts were found near Ggantija: ceramics, spherical stones intended for transporting stone boulders, figurines, etc. The territory of the temple is surrounded by a fence made of vertically standing stones. Some of the boulders reach a height of 5.5 meters. You can get to the Ggantija temple by bus number 307. The Neolithic sanctuary can be seen every day from 9 am to 6 pm in summer, and from 9 am to 5 pm in winter period. The ticket price is small - only 9 euros, discounts are provided for children and pensioners. The ticket price also includes a visit to the Ta Cola mill.

stone circle

No less interesting historical object Gozo is a stone circle often referred to as the Brostorff circle. It is an underground temple that was built in the Neolithic era in the vicinity of the modern village of Shaara. The stone circle was found in the 20s 19th century, and then rediscovered already in the 60s of the last century. Scientists believe that the Broshtorff circle served the ancient Gozovites as a burial place. This is confirmed by the large number of bones found on the territory of the attraction. To be precise, archaeologists have found approximately 200 thousand bones of people, as well as a variety of art objects dating back to the period of construction of the Maltese megalithic temples. One of the most striking examples of the craftsmanship of ancient craftsmen is a chamber tomb, made, according to experts, in 4100-3800 BC. Bus number 307 takes tourists to the object. Like the Bordj in Nadur temple, the stone circle can only be viewed by prior arrangement.

If you are interested in the megalithic temples of Malta, then we recommend that you familiarize yourself with interesting facts associated with these historical monuments of the heritage of mankind.

• In total, there are 23 megaliths in Malta. Some of them are in a ruined or dilapidated state.
• Despite everything, scientists equate such sights as the grotto and catacombs of St. Paul, as well as the catacombs of St. Agates.
• The Ggantija temple is the oldest man-made structure on the planet, for which it was listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
• No less remarkable is the Ar Dalam cave, located near Birzebbuji. It's a tangled web underground tunnels, which, most likely, were used by members of the Order of Malta to move around the island. It contained the remains of many prehistoric animals, including pygmy elephants, hippos and deer. Some scholars believe that Ar Dalam is nothing more than an ancient sewer, cut through by the Maltese in prehistoric times.
• The cult nation that erected unique historical monuments disappeared in 2300 BC. The reason for their disappearance is not known to this day.
• At the time of the construction of the Neolithic sanctuaries, there were no wheels, no fastening materials, no construction equipment. The secret of the construction of temples from multi-ton stone blocks has not been disclosed so far.
• There are many legends and tales around the megalithic temples. Most of The Maltese believe that the giant sanctuaries were built by the giants who are their ancestors.
• Some ufologists attribute the appearance of megalithic temples to alien races.
• Another popular assumption is related to the sunken Atlantis. Some people believe that the ruts with which the territory of the state is slashed are traces of the mighty Atlantean titans.
• In the central part of each temple complex, burials were found, as well as attributes that accompanied various sacrificial rituals (bones of sacrificial animals, flint knives, altars). At some distance from them, the ancient builders erected their stone temples.
• Five megalithic temples of the state are listed world heritage UNESCO. These include Skorba and TaʼHajrat, Mnajdra, Jgantija, Tarshien and Hajjar-Im. Hypogeum Khal-Saflieni has a separate number in the UNESCO list.
• Megaliths of Malta older Egyptian pyramids for a whole millennium.
• Alas, it was not weather conditions that contributed to the destruction of the temples of Malta, but the Maltese themselves, who dismantled ancient sanctuaries and used chipped stone blocks to build their own homes.

And a little bit useful information for tourists. Malta is small but popular country. If you want to see all the sights of the islands, then book excursions in advance: about 1-1.5 months before arriving in the country. Such an action will guarantee that you will have time to enjoy the ancient treasures of Malta and will not waste time in long queues at the entrance.

Megaliths in Malta are a spectacle that deserves the attention of every guest of the country. The stone blocks, soaked in the spirit of the Maltese life of ancient times, will make you think about the strength, talent and perseverance of the prehistoric Maltese builders, and will also give rise to many interesting thoughts in your minds that deserve careful reflection at your leisure. Have a nice holiday!

The main mystery of the Maltese Islands are megalithic structures. It is believed that these are temple objects, and that they were erected starting from 4500 BC. But, for many centuries, two main destructive forces acted on the islands: the first - the wars did not subside, and the second - the Maltese population, who needed stone for their own purposes, dismantled ancient temples for building material.

And just one example of a war - in 1943, Malta became a springboard for the Allied invasion of Sicily and attacks on Italy. And the Maltese lands were devastated: Malta went through the heaviest bombardment (within 154 days, 6,700 tons of bombs were dropped on it). Another factor: ancient stone slabs were seized not only by ordinary people. They also went to the construction of harbors and forts, the latter were then actively used by the Order of Malta during the Great (Turkish) siege, they also went to the construction or restoration of cities.
If we take into account the third factor - time, then today most of the temple buildings are piles of ruins: randomly scattered blocks of limestone, ruined remains of walls and fences. In total, the remains of 23 temples have been discovered on the islands to date.



There is not a single temple that has survived in its original form to this day. It is believed that only four of all have survived relatively intact - the temples of Ggantiy, Hajar Kvim, Mnajdra and Tarshin. But, in fact, this is not so: in the pursuit of tourist attractiveness, they suffered a different sad fate - an illiterate and poor-quality reconstruction, but in fact - a disgusting remake. In the future, this issue will be addressed separately, but for now we have no choice but to get acquainted with their modern characteristics. Ggantija The temples of Ggantija in Shara (Xaghra - "giant") are located in the center of the island of Gozo and are one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Today, the Ggantija temples are believed to have been built around 3600 BC. The structure consists of two separate temples with different entrances, but a common rear wall. Each of the temples has a somewhat concave facade, in front of which is a platform of large stone blocks. The most ancient temple of the complex consists of three semicircular rooms arranged in the shape of a shamrock. Modern scholars believe that such a trinity symbolizes the past, present and future or birth, life and death. Excavations here began in the middle of the nineteenth century. Scientists have so far managed to extract the entire complex from underground, but have not been able to clearly answer the eternal question: why? Another question they have is about the method of construction. Due to the gigantic size of the megaliths, when some of them reach up to 8 m in length and weigh more than 50 tons, the locals believed in the past that the temples were built by giants. All Maltese megalithic temples are created according to the same scheme. All of them are designed in the same architectural style. Scientists believe that it was a unique civilization. But, there is no answer to the question of why and how this civilization disappeared. Remains unsolved mystery, where did the builders of the temples of Malta go. After all, nowhere else mediterranean coast no traces of their presence, even a short one, have been found. Hagar Qim The Hajar Kwim temple is located near the village of Krendi, about 15 km southwest of the capital of Malta - Valletta. Discovered in 1839, Khadzhar Kvim (lit. "prayer stones") is dated ~ 3600-3200 years. BC. The building stands on top of a hill overlooking the sea and the island of Filfla, and is a single complex of 3 temples surrounded by a common massive wall. This megalithic object of antiquity is decorated with carved spirals, animals and idols, all made of obsidian and flint. Giant limestone slabs form a series of ovals placed at the top of the building. Hajar Kwim is the largest and well-preserved temple complex in Malta. It, having the shape of a clover leaf, consists of four or five apses, has a courtyard and a facade. This design is typical of Neolithic temples throughout Malta. Mnajdra
Mnajdra (lit. "view") lies at the foot of the hill on which Hajar Kwim is located, on a steep stretch of coast overlooking the islet of Filfla. The age of the structure dates back to 3.5-3.2 thousand years BC. His three temples are perhaps the best preserved on the island. It is believed to be oriented to sunrise at the equinox (March 20 and September 22) and solstice (June 21 and December 21). The first and believed to be the oldest temple (northeast) has a simple three-apse structure. Its construction dates back to 3600-3200 BC, following the construction of Ggantija. The interior walls have been restored, but the small pillars are original. The nearest temple is the largest of all, but the most impressive is still the lower (southwestern) temple of Mnajdra. True, his facade is badly damaged. Artifacts found on Mnajdra include stone and clay figurines, shells and stone ornaments, flint tools and pottery. It is believed that the absence of any metal objects is one of the signs of its Neolithic origin. Tarxien Temples The Tarshin temples (lit. "large stone slabs") are dated to 3600-2500 BC. BC, this complex, which includes four megalithic temples, is the most complex of all the temple buildings in Malta. Numerous altars, carved images of animals and spirals, the remains of altars - all this is believed to indicate a complex set of religious beliefs of the ancient Maltese. Tarxien is much worse preserved today than Ggantija or Hajar Kvim, but despite this, its grandiose ruins still impress visitors. Hypogeum Hal Saflieni Hypogeum The word "hypogeum" in Greek means "under the ground". The Hal Saflini Hypogeum is an underground rock-cut complex used by temple builders, believed to be both a sanctuary and a burial site. It was discovered in 1902 during construction work. Its three subterranean levels date back to the period between about 3600 and 2400 BC. e. This monument is considered one of the main prehistoric monuments in the world. Hypogeum, or underground cave, is a unique monument and a magnificent example of underground architecture. Excavations at this site have yielded rich archaeological material - pottery, human bones, personal adornments such as beads and amulets, figurines and small animal carvings. The hypogeum consists of halls, rooms and passages carved into the rock, and occupying an area of ​​about 500 square meters. m, a total of 33 rooms, niches and chambers. The rooms, carved in stone, vary in size and shape, and are decorated according to various canons of craftsmanship. The complex is located on three levels - the upper level (3600-3300 BC), the middle (3300-3000 BC) and the lower (3150-2500 BC). The deepest room on the lower level is 10.6 meters below the ground. The upper level consists of a large cavity with a central passage and chambers carved into either side. The middle level consists of a variety of chambers with very smooth wall finishes that give the impression of masonry. The Hypogeum is also interesting because the walls of its chambers are painted with red ocher, an ornament in the form of a spiral. It is believed that this ornament symbolizes prosperity and a source of subsistence, the image of a spiral was associated with the idea of ​​continuation and renewal of life. After 2500 BC. it turned into a necropolis, in which the remains of 30 thousand people were found. In the sacred well were found: the accompanying inventory and figurines, in particular, a terracotta figurine of a sleeping priestess. Some of the chambers today are left for subsequent excavations. Ar Dalam (Ghar Dalam) Ar Dalam Cave is a very important historical site, as it was here that the earliest traces of human settlements in Malta were found, dating back about 7400 years ago. The exposition consists of two parts: the cave itself and the museum, which exhibits many remarkable finds, from animal bones to monuments. material culture person. The cave was dug by a river, with the channel turning at right angles. The cave goes 144 meters deep, but only the first 50 meters are open to visitors. In Valletta administrative center Malta, archaeologists have also found a network of underground tunnels. And there are doubts whether it is underground city Order of Malta, whether the ancient plumbing or sewage. For many centuries in Europe it was believed that the Crusader Knights built an underground city on the Mediterranean island of Malta, and among the population there were rumors about the secret passages and military labyrinths of the Order of the Hospitallers. Already in our time, workers found an underground reservoir right under the town square. Near its bottom, at a depth of about 12 m, they also found a hole in the wall - the entrance to the tunnel. It went under the square, and then connected to other channels. An attempt to pass through these corridors was unsuccessful - they were blocked. All found corridors have a high enough vault so that an adult can easily pass there. However, researchers believe that this is only a small part of the once vast plumbing system.

Local geographers claim that in prehistoric times, the place of tiny Malta was occupied by a much larger piece of land. This is evidenced by two megalithic temples found on seabed, near the city of San Julian. The opinion about the relationship of the archipelago to Atlantis is widespread in the scientific world, although it is not supported by any specific data. The oldest history of the country is also vague; only guesses are the assumptions about the existence of a developed civilization here with a cultural, but aggressive society that instilled fear in the Egyptians and Greeks.

According to the most common version, the first inhabitants of Malta were farmers from Sicily. Having successfully overcome 100 km on wooden rafts, they brought food, utensils, and tools with them. Together with people, domestic animals and animals of unknown purpose landed on the islands, for example, pygmy elephants the size of an ordinary dog. This significant event happened about 4 thousand years ago. However, experts attribute the settlement of the Maltese archipelago to earlier times, citing mysterious, albeit quite material things as evidence. So, the local roads arose long before the invention of the wheel, and their abrupt end near the coast suggests earth faults.

Elephant figurine from a megalithic temple

Mysterious ruts with sloping walls are hollowed out in the rocky ground, have a depth of about half a meter and are separated from each other by a distance of 1.4 m. In some places they reach the very edge of the water, maintaining parallelism; in others they converge and intersect like rails. Left by unknown transport, the tracks could have been preserved after the construction of the temple or its transfer to another place due to a change in the relief. Discarding the idea of ​​Atlantis, we can assume that Malta is part of the land absorbed by the sea. In addition to strange roads, the remains of prehistoric lizards found on the islands are proof of this, too large for an island only 27 km long.

Another mystery lies in the finds in the dungeons of the sanctuary of Hal Saflieni near the city of Paola: figurines in the form of obese, headless figures with tiny arms and legs, at the time of discovery, lay next to amphorae and lamps. No less surprising is the origin of local ivory products. As you know, mammoths left the world at the end of the Ice Age, and their alleged descendants - elephants - were found only in Africa. In ancient times, as an ornamental material, ivory was valued on a par with gold. Its transportation until the beginning of our era was too difficult, especially for a people who did not know how to build ships. Nevertheless, in Malta, ivory jewelry was available as early as the 3rd millennium BC. e. Today they are on display. National Museum archeology along with pottery and stone tools.

As the largest of the museums in Valletta, it is located in a house called "Auberge de Provence", built as a hostel for the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Clay and metal products found in the upper layers of the Khal Saflieni underground date back to the Bronze Age.

Terracotta figurine from Khal Saflieni

Standard plan of a megalithic temple

Later and artistically less valuable, they are marked by the influence of Aegean art.

Judging by their appearance, these products were made not by aliens, but by immigrants from Sicily: ceramics with a scratched pattern of red and white colors are similar to objects of the Neolithic cultures of Western Europe.

Ancient architecture - the most valuable part of the prehistoric heritage - in Malta is presented in museums under open sky, which are all the islands of the archipelago. The megalithic sanctuaries of Malta date back to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. The most interesting of all the monuments found in Europe, they are carved into the rock or erected from local limestone. Separate structures were erected about 6 thousand years ago, that is, they appeared before the Egyptian pyramids, which until recently were considered the first man-made buildings on Earth. Megaliths (from the Greek megas and lithos - “big stone”) are ancient cult buildings built dry from huge, often unprocessed stone blocks. To date, 3 types of megalithic structures are known: dolmens, menhirs and cromlechs. Dolmens, made in the form of large stone boxes covered with a flat slab, were built as burials. The menhir is a long stone dug into the ground strictly vertically.

The prehistoric monuments of Malta are mainly represented by cromlechs, or a group of menhirs, set in the form of a circular fence. Similar to the famous Stonehenge complexes in England and Karnak in France, they appeared a millennium earlier. In addition to age, the Maltese megaliths are distinguished by their purpose and unusual building density: more than 20 temple complexes are located on a site comparable in size to a small city. Megalithic structures of the same type, wherever they are located, are similar in material, architectural form and construction. Courtyards are often hidden behind high stone fences, similar in plan to a flower with three petals.

In prehistoric times, stone was not just a building material. Belief in its magical properties was reflected in amulets and totems. Fulfilled deep meaning in ancient times, things from solid earth rock retained their former significance in the future. Christians erected their first church on the stone; the borders of sacred territories were marked with stone; next to the large stones endowed with a special role, the tribes gathered for advice. In mainland complexes, groups of stone obelisks were used in unknown ceremonies. Even the quantity, not to mention the location, refutes any thoughts about the random nature of such ensembles. If dolmens were undoubtedly tombs, then the role of menhirs is still a matter of dispute. The cromlech device, quite complicated for its time, required knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, which the ancient builders could well have possessed.

Collective burials in caves and cyclopean masonry of temples do not reveal the mystery of the first millennia island history. The gods of the ancient Maltese remained unknown just as covered with a veil of secrecy everyday life people, undoubtedly developed and, perhaps, who came from the mainland. Recently, thoughts have been increasingly expressed about the presence of giants in Malta, who arose from nowhere, existed on the islands for 2 millennia and also mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind huge temples.

The Maltese sanctuaries were built from stone monoliths up to 8 m long and weighing several tons each. It is difficult to attribute their creation to the Sicilians, because they were never distinguished by high stature or strong physique.

Gzhantiya

The ancient builders of Malta used 2 types of stone: hard tal-kuavvi for masonry walls and soft tal-franca for interior decoration. The method of transportation and processing of blocks is still unknown, but the construction technology was reproduced quite accurately. Work began with the construction of a pit under the foundation. Its walls were sloping on one side and strictly vertical on the opposite side, where the foundation pit was reinforced with logs. Having rolled blocks on rollers, workers moved them to a wooden floor, and then, helping themselves with levers and winches, lowered them down. The laying of the slabs took place slowly, literally by centimeters, although as a result, huge stones lay down exactly.

After the foundation, the construction of the above-ground part of the temple began, which was formed with the help of winches and scaffolding. The ancient builders fitted the blocks very tightly, trying not to leave gaps. The semicircular chambers of the sanctuaries were located around the central aisle. The complex buildings were surrounded by a common wall, similar in plan to a horseshoe and also made in the megalithic technique, that is, without mortar and pre-treatment of the stone surface. It is assumed that the fences were originally covered with false vaults.

The largest Maltese sanctuary - Gzhantiya - is located on the island of Gozo and, in addition to the official one, has the name "mother and daughter". The second name was determined by the original form of the structure, erected in the form of two lying women of unequal height. The entrance to each of them is arranged in place of the vagina.

Erotic symbolism occupied in the culture of the Maltese aliens special place. In many temples, places of honor were given to phallic signs represented by drawings and unusual sculpture. So, a powerful slab in one of the sanctuaries personified the human reproductive organ. Anyone who managed to touch her could hope for a quick addition to the family. The smooth and rather even surface of an ordinary stone pedestal in some unknown way correlated with male power, which is also believed by the current Maltese. It is no coincidence that this temple is the most visited of the ancient monuments of the island, and it is not difficult to guess that representatives of the stronger sex come here more often.

Dolmen

At one time, Gzhantiya was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest building on the planet. The rest of the temples of Malta were built 2-3 millennia later, but, despite their relative youth, they are of no less historical interest and are excellent from the artistic side. In 1847, notes by the French writer G. Flaubert appeared in the European press. Like many of his colleagues, the famous novelist expressed his interest in ancient monuments, but, unlike many, did not see any mysticism in their origin. Calling dolmens and menhirs magical buildings, he did not deny their cult significance, noting that “they could embody the ideas of the temple characteristic of the ancients.

Some see the huge swaying stones of the dolmens as a symbol of the Earth floating in an endless void. They could be a device for trials: when someone was accused of a crime, he had to walk on a shaky stone. If he remained motionless, the person was justified. It is difficult to say something definite about menhirs. If desired, in each of them one can notice a resemblance to a huge phallus and, on this basis, draw a conclusion about some kind of phallistic cult, like the cult of Isis.

The religious significance of the Maltese megaliths could not be proved, but the piety of the locals forced them to build sanctuaries before houses. Probably, this tradition passed into modern times from the era of mysterious giants who did not hide in fortresses, did not build tombs for themselves, did not have weapons, including primitive knives, did not hunt and did not plow the land. Rejecting metal, by then long ago known to people, the likely ancestors of the Maltese turned their talents to construction.

Stone figurine Saracen

The life of the mysterious settlers was subordinated to the service of the gods and the construction of temples. Perhaps they were supplied with food and clothing by pilgrims who came to Malta to worship the goddess Saracen, a fat, prolific giantess, whose image is depicted in temple sculpture. The rocky lands of the archipelago could be a sacred place where her priestesses and secular worshipers lived, who undoubtedly adhered to the laws of matriarchy. The overweight Saracen was more often depicted sitting and lying down. Almost all of her statues have no heads, but in place of the neck there are recesses where nozzles found in the same temples fit. Apparently, each head of the goddess was a certain symbol, therefore, it was replaced before the start of the corresponding ceremony.

The Maltese believed that the beauty of Saracen could drive you crazy, so the priestesses, not wanting that to the faint of heart, hid the face of the goddess, removing her head from the statue. The most spectacular of all the statues found is called the Maltese Venus. The peculiar appearance of the foremother of the islanders brings considerable income, because miniature copies of the famous sculpture are now sold in all souvenir shops in Malta. According to legend, it was she who built Gzhantia, dragging huge blocks of stone from the nearest cliffs. Translated from Maltese the name of this sanctuary of the archipelago sounds like "the tower of the giantess." It is said that in one hand Saracen held a block, and in the other she carried her child, whom the undersized inhabitants of Gozo for some reason consider their ancestor.

Carved ornament on a stele at Khal Tarshin

Interior view of the Shrine of Khal Tarshin

Most Maltese temples do not have interior decoration. The impression of completeness is created by the decoration: stone idols, carved altars, niches and hearths, flat sculpture on the walls, where the animal motif is often repeated. In some cases, portal blocks were decorated with primitive carved ornaments. Dots, spirals, realistically interpreted plant and zoomorphic motifs were made in flat relief and then painted. Similar patterns with traces of paint distinguish the walls of the Khal Tarshin temple, discovered about a century ago in the north-east of Malta. Currently, the eponymous museum complex, consisting of 4 temples created in 2100-2800 BC. e.

A true masterpiece of prehistoric architecture is the Hypogeum, a multi-storey cave carved into granite rock with the help of stone tools. The labyrinth of narrow passages, caverns, shallow and deep niches smoothly descends to a depth of 12 m. Translated from Latin, the word “hypogeum” means “underground dwelling”. However, the full name of the monument contains the name of Saflieni Street, where archaeologists dug it up at the beginning of the last century.

Unlike other Maltese temples, the Hypogeum probably had more than just a religious purpose. During excavations in the lowest tier, tens of thousands of human skeletons were found, which indicates that the underground corridors could be used as a cemetery, a prison, or a place where priests were tested. Burials are located in the lower tiers, representing a series of low burial chambers with three blank walls. Each of them was intended for a small body; they all resembled each other, but one was distinguished by its "infinite length", that is, stretched out in the form of a tunnel, it was lost in an unexplored thickness of rocky rock. In the pre-war years, local daredevils tried to explore the mysterious hole; having hardly overcome the narrow entrance, they fell into the tunnel and remained in it forever.

Hypogeum

In the absence of eyewitnesses, rumors arose that some creatures inhabited this place, interested in preserving the secrets of their monastery. One way or another, people really disappeared in the Maltese dungeons, strange sounds were heard and the most attractive caves crumbled by themselves. The system of catacombs was mentioned more than once in ancient books. Some of the authors assured that the network of tunnels branched inland and to the sides, continued under the seabed and stretched to Italy.

To date, all the megaliths found in different parts of the archipelago are open to the public in Malta. Prehistoric buildings, as a rule, are combined into complexes, that is, a single name means several structures.

At the southern tip of Malta, there are 2 temples as part of the Hajar Kim ensemble, built in 2700 BC. e.

Bugibba

Cave Ar Dalam

On the opposite side of the island stands Bugibba - a temple named after the city, not far from which archaeologists discovered it in 1928. Over time, the city border came close to the ancient cromlech and today it is located on the territory of the New Dolmen Hotel. resort town Bugibba, located 10 km from Valletta, is far from the capital, by local standards, the distance, because the length of Malta is three times as long. The road from Bugibba to St. Julian runs along the coast, and, despite the loud name of the Regional Highway, is a crooked single-lane road with poor coverage. At night, it turns into a kind of "road of death." The last lanterns stand at the exit from the nearest town of Sliema, and drivers, cursing the darkness, are forced to drive between a rock and an abyss.

The gloomy cave museum Ar Dalam is a real repository of fossils. Walking through its cool halls, you can see pygmy elephants and hippos, giant dormouse and turtles, as well as birds that inhabited the island more than 200 thousand years ago. Thus, in the unique exhibits of Ar Dalam, the moments of the appearance of life are recorded not only in Malta, but also on Earth as a whole. The cult ensemble Mnajdra, discovered in the middle of the 19th century at the southern tip of Malta, consists of three sanctuaries of different sizes. In the spring of 2001, on the night of the fateful Friday the 13th, on the eve of Easter, modern vandals visited the monumental building, moving and breaking 60 stone blocks. The ancient temple, fortunately, was not destroyed, although it suffered the only time in its long existence.

Mnajdra

Having erected unique complexes, the mysterious giants suddenly disappeared in the prime of their culture. The events that led to the departure or mass death of an entire people remained a secret of history: guesses about the epidemic and the war were not confirmed. Also, the idea that they left the world voluntarily, not wanting to see the changes taking place in it, has not been proven.

Gleb CHERNOV.

Megaliths of Malta

In Malta, perhaps the most ancient megalithic structures on Earth have been preserved. Scientists call them temples, referring to the fact that there was a complex ceremonial culture of burial. At the same time, it is known that this was a society highly developed technically, creating its own calendar and possessing extensive knowledge of astronomy.

In the photo: The mysterious sanctuaries at Hajar Im in Malta and Ggantija in Gozo are about 1000 years older than famous pyramids in Giza, older than the Mayan sites and Stonehenge.
They are built from huge blocks of stone, and it still remains a mystery how 6 thousand years ago it was possible to lift such weights to a height of several meters, and even stack the stones so tightly that there are no gaps between them.

Megaliths of Malta and Gozo

The Maltese megaliths are considered not only the most ancient of those discovered so far. They are also notable for the fact that, as a rule, they do not stand apart, but form huge complexes. The oldest of the Maltese megaliths - Ggantija - is located in the northeast of the island of Gozo, It was built around 3400-3000 BC. e., and discovered in 1826. The word "Ggantija" means "giant" or "giantess" and is very suitable for the megalith. It consists of two separate temples with different entrances, but a common back wall. The temples have a somewhat concave façade, in front of which is a platform of large stone blocks. The most ancient temple of the complex consists of three semicircular rooms arranged in the shape of a shamrock. Scientists believe that such trinity symbolizes the past. present and future, or birth, life and death. Hagar Qwim dates from around 3300 BC.

This name is translated as "standing stones", because before the excavations, only the tops of huge boulders were visible above the ground. Some of them are over five meters high. This complex is located on the island of Malta, southeast of La Valletta. The craftsmanship of the architects of antiquity, who ideally fitted horizontal and vertical stones to each other, is striking. The geometric and mathematical calculations used by the builders are amazingly accurate. Temples reflect the movement of the Sun from sunrise to sunset, and during the equinox, the sun's rays fall directly on the main altar.
Other temples are no less amazing. Hypogeum Gal Safliene - a multi-level underground sanctuary, going into the ground for 12 meters, and Tarxien - the largest temple complex in Malta, consisting of four buildings.

Why were they built?

According to one version, these megalithic complexes were used as temples and burial places. In some of them, religious ceremonies were actually held, and later the dead were buried. But is that what they were originally intended for? After all
ancient structures often changed their function and. according to a number of researchers, this is exactly what happened to the megalithic complexes of Malta. According to another version, megaliths were used for astronomical observations of the Moon and the Sun. But did the ancient farmers need it? To start sowing or harvesting, it is much more useful to observe the condition of the soil and the weather.

Giant emitters?

For the first time, the ultrasonic radiation of a megalith was measured quite by accident. British zoologists studied the life of bats in the area of ​​the Rollright menhir (on the border of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire) and found that before sunrise, the stone begins to emit ultrasonic waves that knock bats astray. Radiation is most intense and longest during the equinoxes, and minimal during the solstices. In addition, cyclic bursts of radiation are noted. Things are even more interesting with ancient stone burial structures - dolmens. The geometric parameters of their empty inner chambers suggest that these structures can generate infrasonic acoustic vibrations. And the deformation of dolmen slabs, leading to the appearance of an electric field in quartz crystals, occurs after
due to the tidal influence of the Moon and the Sun. The tidal wave formed by the attraction of the Moon leads to vertical movements not only of water in the oceans, but also of the layers of the earth's crust. Is it because the megalithic builders were interested in the movement of the Moon that they needed to know the operating time of their emitters?

Perhaps, with the help of acoustic influence, the builders of megaliths could stop the enemy, predict the beginning of an earthquake or a storm? Perhaps this explains the emotional excitement that some of our contemporaries feel when entering an ancient temple?

Oh those crazy tracks!

To gigantic megalithic structures we've kind of gotten used to it. Yes, pyramids, yes. Stonehenge - burial grounds, sanctuaries - everything is clear. That is, nothing is clear, but you can pretend that it is clear. But hundreds of mysterious furrows, which, like rails, cross the island of Malta in various directions - this is a completely inconsistent phenomenon. Many of them run in parallel, and then suddenly merge into one track to turn sharply or smoothly go to the side. Unusual "rails" cross the mountains, they can end on a steep cliff, so that then right below, in the valley, continue their journey in the same direction. And on the coast, they go straight into the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and, at great depths, stretch along the bottom for hundreds of meters And they appear on the neighboring island of Gozo with Malta.The width of one "rail" ranges from 15 to 25 centimeters, the track depth is ~ from 10 to 70 centimeters, which means that the diameter of the wheel that rolled along this road should reach two meters.

The distance between the furrows ranges from 63 to 123 centimeters. Who and how created this network of furrows in the rocky soil of the island thousands of years ago? And for what purpose?
There is no logic in the parameters vehicle, which could "ride" along these rails, not in that. how they were laid. The largest Maltese archaeologist, professor at the local university, Anthony Bonanno, believes that at least 90% of all depressions are located near ancient temples. From which he concludes that they were required for their construction. But how could the rails, along which nothing can be carried, contribute to the construction of ancient structures? By the way, the time of the appearance of both stone colossi in the Andes and mysterious stripes in Malta is approximately 6-7 thousand years ago.

Stone balls - do not roll

Many hypotheses have been put forward about how and for what outlandish furrows were created. According to one of them, these are traces of carts to which draft animals were harnessed. However, experience has shown that carts would not be able to maneuver in ruts, since their turning radius is very small. There are assumptions that are even embarrassing to analyze. for example, that furrows are letters that are visible only from the air. Or is it leftovers transport system connecting Europe with Africa. The most successful, at first glance, seems to be the hypothesis associated with hundreds of soft limestone balls found on the island. Its authors suggested that these balls served as supports for platforms on which multi-ton stone blocks were transported for the construction of temples, of which 23 pieces survived in Malta. But the traces from the balls would have a rounded shape, but in fact they are trough-shaped. Limestone balls will not withstand the weight of large blocks, but for the sake of small ones, was it worth fencing a garden? Yes, and it is impossible to deliver goods on such confusing tracks ...

The mysterious Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most popular holiday destinations for travelers from different countries. And it's not just the beaches of Malta or its direct connection with the Knights Templar and their untold riches, it's just that there are grandiose sights historical significance- the oldest megalithic temples and religious shrines. Moreover, all these old buildings shrouded in mystery and many mysteries, the answer to which scientists still cannot unravel. No one knows who built the ancient megalithic temples, with the help of what unknown machines or tools they managed to install such bulks and where did these builders go? From the skilled craftsmen of antiquity, only their sanctuaries remained, well preserved to this day.

Scientists suggest that the civilization of the ancient Maltese builders lived at least seven thousand years ago, had a Neolithic culture and erected gigantic stone structures. The oldest man-made religious objects in Malta are a thousand years older than the famous Egyptian pyramids. Megalithic temples are structures assembled from huge blocks of stone, in shape these sanctuaries look like a blossoming flower, but in fact they are “cromlechs” - circular compositions created by vertical installation of slabs. It is interesting that all the Maltese temples and ancient catacombs were built without the use of cementing mortars, from only partially hand-crafted stones. These blocks of stones reach fifty tons in weight and exceed eight meters in height. Which raises a lot of questions, including: how did the islanders of Malta manage to create a large-scale and grandiose architectural megalithic ensemble with their primitive tools? There are so many mysteries and inconsistencies that some scientists even voice a version about the alien origin of these builders.

A small Mediterranean state that can be traveled in a day, which is very attractive for tourists. In addition, there is a very developed infrastructure that allows you to quickly and easily get to any historical sites. In total, twenty-three ancient megalithic sanctuary temples have been found in Malta to date. But, unfortunately, many of them are poorly preserved, as for centuries, local peasants dismantled their walls for their construction and household needs. That is why the Maltese religious megalithic temples, for the most part, can be seen as ruins, but even those amaze with their size and scope of the builders' ideas. Each ancient sanctuary of Malta was erected in a certain era. But even after the appearance of new temples, people continued to bury people in old buildings. All megalithic buildings Malta was built according to the same principle: in the center there were tombs, around which stood temples. Several megalithic temples have been well preserved to this day: Ggantia, Hagar Kvim, Mnajdra, Tarshien, Mdjarr, Skroba, Khal-Saflieni Hypogeum, Ar Dalam.

The ancient buildings of Malta are majestic and powerful, and even rather rough, but with a romantic touch of millennia, they have a unique look. Unknown builders of the Maltese temples did not make megaliths in any place, their construction and location on the ground had a certain binding. Construction in Malta was carried out in accordance with a certain set of rules, created according to the Chinese doctrine of space harmonization - "Feng Shui", in addition, megalithic sanctuaries hid in their location and binding to the starry sky. In the Mnajdra megalithic complex, all buildings are associated with astronomical phenomena: the winter and summer solstices, as well as the equinoxes.

- are located on the territory of a small Maltese settlement, famous for its beautiful pastoral landscapes, numerous vineyards, farms where natural agricultural products are produced. There are two prehistoric megalithic sights of Malta at once: the Ta’ Hajrat temple complex and the Neolithic Skrob complex. In these places, scientists managed to make a lot of interesting archaeological finds. The temples are small in size, but important in terms of history. This ancient buildings Neolithic islands of Gozo. The ruins of the megalith Ta-Hajrat - "Ta" Hagrat" are dated 3600-3000 BC. A kilometer away is another megalithic complex of Skorba - "Skorba", dated 4400-3000 BC. These structures were found by scientists recently in the sixties Twentieth century Little information has been collected about them, but it is known that in the Neolithic there were located the oldest settlements of Malta.

- was built in the place of today locality Paola, in Malta six thousand years ago. This unique underground religious sanctuary is the oldest temple in the world. Fortunately for contemporaries, it is well preserved. But in order for the temple complex to stand further, the number of people visiting it with excursions is strictly limited. On the day of Hypogeum Khal-Saflieni, no more than eighty tourists can see. That is why travelers planning to book this excursion to the Hypogeum well in advance. The hypogees, like other megalithic Maltese temples, were built to last for centuries, and to ensure this safety, the sanctuaries were built underground. In terms of functionality, this is more likely not a temple complex, but a necropolis - a centuries-old tomb for local residents. Khal-Saflieni temple has many corridors, grottoes, rooms, they are divided into three tiers. There are more than thirty halls, chambers, niches of various sizes and shapes, and the deepest room of the lower tier is a corridor that goes ten meters underground. The walls of the mid-level rooms are very smooth, scientists have suggested that this is masonry. In addition, they were interested in the ornament that adorns all the halls of the complex, made of red ocher: these are patterns in the form of a spiral - a symbol of prosperity and the infinity of life. The total area of ​​the Hypogea is four hundred and eighty square meters. Over the centuries, about thirty thousand people were buried here. Hypogeum Khal-Saflieni was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century, it was immediately called the most an unusual pattern underground architecture of Malta. During excavations, scientists discovered unique archaeological finds: bones, ceramics, stone and wooden figurines of animals, miniature figurines, women's jewelry - all this turned the idea of ​​modern people about the Maltese islanders of antiquity. Excavations of the Khal-Saflieni Hypogeum Cave are still ongoing, constantly delighting archaeologists with new finds.

- located on the island of Gozo. This is the oldest megalithic sanctuary, consisting of two temples. Ggantija is similar in shape to a clover leaf, which symbolizes the cult of fertility, as evidenced by the figurines discovered by scientists during excavations. From the largest temple, only six-meter ruins of the facade remained, but they also testify to the former greatness of the megalith in old times. Especially if you take into account the fact that such religious objects were built in the conditions of the Stone Age. The temple has a cyclopean masonry, that is, when the stones are held under their own weight. Here you can see the altar and sacred places-altars, above them the animals brought as a gift to the gods were hung up, letting them bleed. There are recessed baths at the entrance to the temple so that parishioners can wash their feet before entering the sanctuary. With another temple, it is united by one common wall. Temples are fenced with large stones, many of which weigh at least fifty tons. The ancient megalithic sanctuary of Ggantija was discovered in the nineteenth century.

- the largest and well-preserved religious complex of Malta, located fifteen kilometers from the country's capital - Valletta. This spacious sanctuary on a hill, consists of three temples, enclosed by stones. Scientists have found on the top of the hill oval limestone slabs decorated with elegant ornaments, as well as figurines - animal figurines and idols-gods made of silicon. This megalith of Malta, like many others, has the shape of a clover leaf, which means that it is dedicated to the cult of fertility. Much to the surprise of archaeologists, the temple of Hajar Kvim has survived to this day almost in its original form.

- it consists of three temples and is deservedly considered the best example of ancient Maltese architecture. Many thousands of years ago, next to the entrance to this sanctuary, there was a statue of an ancient locally revered goddess. This statue was about three meters high, today only the lower part of it remains - bare feet and part of a pleated skirt, but this is a copy, and the original is in the museum of the capital city of Valletta. The Tarsjen megalithic complex is the most complex architectural object, despite the fact that it is poorly preserved, it invariably impresses travelers who come to Malta with the refined craftsmanship and talent of ancient architects: mysterious cromlechs have ideal and verified details. lower temple megalithic complex tells us that the Maltese builders had an idea about astronomical phenomena: since every year in September and March the sun's rays move along the same verified trajectory. The temple has a stone altar, which is decorated with a spiral pattern. There is a hole in the altar, in which archaeologists managed to find the bones of sacrificial animals and a special ritual knife. In addition, scientists found a large bowl in the temple, which was carved from a huge stone slab, but its purpose remained unknown. All these finds made it possible to argue that the Maltese had a whole complex set of religious beliefs many thousands of years ago.

- a giant network of tunnels with traces of human settlements, located on the islands of the Maltese archipelago. This find to this day excites the minds of historians who say that this is most likely an underground city of the knights of the Order of Malta, who created secret labyrinths and passages in the thickness of the earth. Other scientists say that this is an ancient sewer of an unknown civilization of the builders of the Maltese megaliths. This find raises a lot of questions and assumptions, but there is not a single exact answer.

Getting acquainted with a large number of megalithic temple buildings in Malta, the thought involuntarily arises that many millennia ago there was the largest religious center ancient world where pilgrims arrived from other countries and islands of the Mediterranean. Megalithic temples performed not only a spiritual function, but also had the role of administrative, medical, financial and public institutions. For scientists, it is still a mystery - the end of the ancient Maltese civilization, but they were able to establish an approximate date - 2300 BC. The reasons for the disappearance of the great Maltese builders have not yet been found, there are no traces of destructive epidemics, no traces of war, no traces of natural disasters, these people simply disappeared somewhere, leaving only megaliths reminiscent of their existence. These ancient temples of Malta will forever be the greatest monument world cultural heritage. In 1980, the megalithic sanctuaries were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

For tourists planning a trip to Malta and acquaintance with megaliths, it is necessary to book an excursion in advance. The approximate price is one hundred twenty dollars per person. Near all the listed ancient religious buildings of Malta there are museums where there are interactive screens, all archaeological finds are shown there, there are models of megaliths, and guides will tell a lot of interesting things about these ancient structures of the planet.