This residential suburb near Malta's Grand Harbour contains ancient megalithic temples from 3600 BC, with carved stone blocks and spiral patterns still visible today.
Tarxien, a town in southeastern Malta, draws visitors with its prehistoric temples covered in detailed stone carvings and spiral patterns. Explore the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 3600 BCE, or see the Annunciation feast in late May, known for fireworks and parades with brass bands. The area includes remnants of ancient rituals, Bronze Age burial sites, and modern neighborhoods connected to Valletta by frequent buses. Walk through streets lined with 19th-century band clubs, small chapels like St. Bartholomew’s, and homes built alongside structures from earlier centuries.
Visiting the Tarxien Temples
The Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex contains four linked stone structures, the oldest built around 3600 BCE. Inside the South Temple, look for an altar in the deepest chamber, surrounded by limestone carvings of bulls and a female pig. The Central Temple has six curved rooms arranged in pairs, each smaller than the last, demonstrating how early builders planned spaces for rituals. To protect carvings like statues of fertility figures, many originals were moved to the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Metal roofs added in 2015 cover parts of the site, reducing damage from weather without blocking views.
Festivals and Local Culture
Tarxien’s largest event, the Feast of the Annunciation, fills the streets with fireworks after dark, brass band marches, and brightly lit decorations during late May or early June. The town’s main church, dedicated to the Annunciation, rises above other buildings with its detailed Baroque exterior and painted ceilings. Marija Annunzjata, a band club established in 1862, and Madonna tad-Duttrina, founded in 1997, organize weekly rehearsals and seasonal concerts. Smaller chapels, such as St. Mary’s on Triq il-Kbira, remain active for daily prayers and smaller gatherings.
How the Temples Were Found and Studied
In 1914, local farmers discovered the temples after hitting large stones while working their fields, leading archaeologist Sir Themistocles Zammit to begin excavations. Digs uncovered altars with burnt animal bones and sharp flint tools, pointing to ceremonies involving sacrifices. Later, during the Bronze Age, people used the site for cremations, leaving behind clay urns filled with ashes. These findings helped Malta create stricter laws to protect ancient sites. Stone rollers left near the South Temple show how builders moved heavy blocks by rolling them over rounded stones.
Planning Your Trip to Tarxien
Take bus routes 81, 82, or 85 from Valletta’s Floriana terminal to the “Neolitici” stop, then walk five minutes to the temples. The site operates daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, closing earlier on December 24 and 31; confirm hours on the Heritage Malta website before visiting. Wear shoes with thick soles to handle uneven stone surfaces, and carry a water bottle since shaded areas are sparse. Consider booking tickets for the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground burial complex two kilometers north, to see more artifacts from the same period.
Tarxien’s Role in Modern Malta
Former Prime Minister Dominic Mintoff, Eurovision singer Thea Garrett, and eye specialist Melvin J. Gouder grew up in Tarxien, reflecting the town’s mix of historical roots and modern achievements. Mayor Joseph Abela Galea and the local council prioritize maintaining cultural sites while overseeing new housing projects. Once a farming community, Tarxien now serves as a residential area with quick access to factories and business parks in nearby Paola and Marsa.
