Was Mnajdra a calendar?

Heritage Malta will put on two early morning visits to the Mnajdra Temples on September 22 and 23.

On these days, the rays of the rising sun pass directly through the main doorway, straight down the central axis, and reach the innermost central apse. This phenomenon can also be seen during the spring equinox.

On the day of the summer solstice in June, the rays fall on the edge of a megalith to the left of the central doorway connecting the first pair of chambers to the inner chambers while during the winter solstice in December the same effect can be seen on the corresponding megalith on the right hand side of this doorway.

Although there is no definite proof that the temples were used as calendars, the orientation of these megaliths is so systematic that it is widely believed that this was very probable.

Participants will meet at 6 a.m. in front of the main gate of Hagar Qim Temples to walk down to the Mnajdra Temples. Afterwards they will climb back up for a tour of the Hagar Qim Temples.

Tickets can be obtained from the Heritage Malta head office in Merchants Street, Valletta. The price is Lm5 (€11.65) per person. More information on 2295 4000.