Ħaġar Qim

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Megalithic Temples of Malta: Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra, Ta' Ħaġrat, Skorba, Tarxien.


State Party = MLT
Type = Cultural
Criteria = iv
ID = 132
Region = Europe and North America
Year = 1980
Session = 4th
Extension = 1992
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/132

The temple of Ħaġar Qim IPA: [hæʤər'ʔi:m] stands on a ridge some two kilometers away from the village of Qrendi. [citation| last = Żammit, Mayrhofer| title = The Prehistoric Temples of Malta and Gozo |page = 28] It dates from the Tarxien phase (c.3200-2500 BC), and is one of a several megalithic sites in the Malta archipelago. It was excavated for the first time in 1839 and much of interest has been unearthed there, notably a decorated pillar altar, two table-altars and some of the "fat lady" statues on display in the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta.

Ħaġar Qim overlooks the sea and the islet of Filfla and it is adjacent to another remarkable temple site, Mnajdra, which is in a hollow further down the cliff-face. The surrounding area, which is typical of Mediterranean garrigue and spectacular in its starkness and isolation, is designated as a Heritage Park.

Description

The ridge upon which the temple was built, is capped with soft globigerina limestone. Since this was the only stone available nearby, it was used throughout the construction of this temple. [citation| last = Trump | title = Malta: An archaeological guide |page = 95] The effects can be seen clearly in the outer southern wall, where the great orthostats are exposed to the sea-winds, with the result that the temple has suffered from severe weathering and surface flaking over the centuries. [citation| last = Trump, Cilia | title = Malta Prehistory and Temples |page = 142]

In its present condition, Ħaġar Qim consists of a single temple unit, with a typical façade, a trilithon entrance, bench and orthostats. It has a wide forecourt, with a retaining wall, through which a passage runs in the middle of the building. [citation| last = Trump | title = Malta: An archaeological guide |page = 98] This entrance passage and first court follow the common Maltese megalithic design.cite web | title= Heritage Malta: Ħaġar Qim and Imnajdra| url= http://www.heritagemalta.org/mnajdratemples.html |accessdate=2008-09-16] This simple design was however considerably modified. The north-westerly apse was replaced by four enclosures which were independent of each other and reached through a separate entrance. [citation| last = Żammit, Mayrhofer| title = The Prehistoric Temples of Malta and Gozo |page = 31]

However, it is not clear if it was constructed as a four- or five-apse structure. Another aspect of Ħaġar Qim is a small, three-apse structure near the temple which may have been the quarters of the temple's priest. Other temple ruins stand a few metres away from the main temple.

The forecourt and façade follow the pattern typical of temples across the islands. Particularly noteworthy are the larger orthostats at the corners, which are notched to take the second of the horizontal courses above. Apart from the replacement of a few original blocks which were lost, such as the lintel over the main doorway, to which no restoration has been done.

Beyond the first pair of apses, the temple interior is more firmly screened off than is usual at other temple sites. [citation| last = Trump | title = Malta: An Archaeological Guide |page = 95] Visual access seems to have been limited to porthole slabs. The only decorations at this point are a single, displaced sill stone bearing a pair of opposing spirals like those of the Tarxien Temples, and the most attractive of all free-standing altars discovered at temple sites.

Through the next doorway, the right-hand apse has a curious setting of low orthostats forming a sort of pan as if intended for the corralling of animals. [citation| last = Trump | title = Malta: An Archaeological Guide |page = 96] The left-hand side apse has a high trilithon altar on its left and three on pillar altars, two on the right with another in a small chamber behind. Less an apse than a passage, this gives access to one of the additional chambers. [citation| last = Trump, Cilia | title = Malta Prehistory and Temples |page = 144] It consists of part of a temple unit, a central court, niche and right apse, tacked closely against the main temple. A low standing pillar stands at the end of the apse. A more complete unit – entrance, court, niche, and one pair of apses, lies to the north, and two simple oval chambers to the west.

In the external enclosing wall, the first orthostat behind the right-hand corner of the façade is one of the largest of any temple. Standing at 6.4m long, it is estimated to weigh close to 20 tonnes (metric tons). [citation| last = Trump | title = Malta: An Archaeological Guide |page = 99] The upright menhir stands 5.2m high. [citation| last = Trump, Cilia | title = Malta Prehistory and Temples |page = 144]

A few hundred meters from the site are a memorial to General Sir Walter Norris Congreve, governor of Malta from 1924-1927, and Ħamrija Tower.

Citations

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.heritagemalta.org/hagarqim.html Entry at heritagemalta.org]

Coordinates: coor dms|35|49|40|N|14|26|32|E|type:landmark