Tarxien — The Builders' Secret

Your quest begins at the Tarxien Temples, a Neolithic megalithic site built between 3600 and 2500 BC, one of the oldest temples in the world. These five interconnected temples, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1992, feature coralline limestone structures and decorations of spiral motifs and carved animals. It was here that Ġiuseppe Zammit, in 1913, made this major discovery, including the famous 1-meter-high 'Fat Lady' statue, dating from around 3000 BC. Every stone of this complex, located in the heart of Malta's south-eastern region, is a testament to the ingenuity of prehistoric builders.

Continue your exploration towards the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, located approximately 2 km from the Tarxien Temples, in Paola. This subterranean funerary complex, excavated around 3000 BC, houses over 7,000 tombs and preserved red ochre paintings, considered the oldest in Europe. Accidentally discovered in 1902 during house construction, this UNESCO site since 1980, plunges up to 10 meters deep, with rooms featuring ceilings adorned with spiral motifs. It offers a unique perspective on Stone Age burial rituals in Malta, complementing the Tarxien temples.

Back in Tarxien, you reach the Knisja Parrokkjali tal-Lunzjata, the Parish Church of the Annunciation. Built in 1610, this Baroque church became the village's religious center in 1686. Its neoclassical facade, added in 1854 by Maltese architect Giorgio Grognet de Vassé, and its 60-meter-high bell tower, dominate the Tarxien landscape. The interior houses a painting of the Annunciation by Stefano Erardi from the late 17th century, showing the artistic and religious evolution of the village after the megalithic period.

Your journey then takes you through Triq il-Menhir, a historic street in Tarxien named after a 3.5-meter-high megalithic menhir, erected as a monument in the 19th century. This narrow paved street is typical of southern Maltese villages, with traditional houses built between the 17th and 19th centuries, offering a glimpse into daily life through the centuries. Along the way, the Ġnien ta' Tarxien, a small public garden developed in the 20th century near the main square, offers a peaceful resting point, bordered by these same limestone houses.

Pjazza Antoine de Paule, Tarxien's central square, marks the end of your quest. Named after Antoine de Paule, Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (1665-1756), it is surrounded by 18th-century Baroque buildings. This site of community gatherings since the 17th century helps understand how Tarxien continued to evolve, integrating its rich Neolithic past into a more recent Maltese identity. This themed circuit through Tarxien with family reveals the history of Tarxien and the heritage of the south-eastern region, making this visit to Tarxien a true immersion in time.