Mnajdra Temple

Mnajdra Temple

Malta is known as the "Heart of the Mediterranean." Though it is an island nation covering just 316 square kilometers, it boasts some of the clearest and cleanest waters in the Mediterranean, along with over 8,000 years of human civilization. Since the 1920s, archaeologists have discovered 33 megalithic temples across Malta. These temples were built over 3,000 years BCE and are older than both Stonehenge in the UK and the Pyramids of Egypt. They are also the world’s oldest free-standing stone structures. Mnajdra Temple is one of the most famous among these megalithic sites.

Mnajdra Temple consists of three connected but unjoined temples, representing the Upper Temple, Middle Temple, and Lower Temple: The Upper Temple was built between 3600 and 3200 BCE, making it the oldest; the Middle Temple was constructed around 3150 to 2500 BCE; while the Lower Temple is the most classic and best represents the characteristics of Mnajdra. The layout of the three temples resembles three figure-eight shapes, and legend has it that the number “8” symbolizes the full body of the Earth Goddess worshipped by people at the time. The architectural design of Malta’s pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo was inspired by this megalithic temple. Mnajdra Temple is primarily built from coral limestone, making it very sturdy. In 1992, along with other megalithic temples in Malta, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Mnajdra Temples

Must-visit reason: The world’s oldest temples

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Malta[Malta]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Malta Island [Malta Island]

City where the attraction is located: Qrendi [Qrendi]