Tarxien temples to be protected by tent
The Tarxien temples will be covered by a tent structure for protection in a project part financed by the EU that will cost some €2 million.
The project will also include an elevated walkway that would give visitors a bird’s eye view of the temple.
During a tour of the temples with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his wife Kate, Heritage Malta chairman Joe Said said this project was of a higher priority than the construction of an interpretation centre at the same site, announced several years ago.
Studies were currently underway, he added, to solve the flooding problems that hounded the temple each time it rained.
The first megalithic structure at the site was built around 3,600 BC and it originally consisted of five semi-circular rooms, or apses.
Subsequently, more structures were added and the central temple, which was the last to be constructed, had the most complex plan, being divided into six apses.
The Tarxien works are part of a wider project to upgrade the temples and historic sites, including the building of an interpretation centre at Ggantija.
The Tarxien temples are visited by around 100,000 people a year.
Dr Gonzi was accompanied by Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco.
7 Comments
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Joseph Stafrace
Jul 30th 2010, 16:59
@Jesmond Micallef The fat statue you are referring to is a copy of the original. The latter is exhibited at the National Museum in Valletta.
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 30th 2010, 17:31
Joseph, the actual remains are just a quarter of the statue of the Godess that represented Fertility in those ancient times. The replica at Tarxien is half, only waist downwards. Do you know why it is so ? http://www.maltavoyager.com/moa/walkthroughs/vw_human.htm
CZARB
Jul 30th 2010, 15:31
I refuse to believe that the only way to protect our temples is through those eye sore.
Edwin Mifsud
Jul 30th 2010, 17:54
And as an expert you suggest.....
CZarb
Jul 30th 2010, 19:40
Im no expert but I have visited many countries and I never saw their people taking their temples to camping. Im sure that there are other alternatives around which doesnt turn our temples into an eyesore AND a joke
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 30th 2010, 22:55
I do not think that a huge tent covering the Tarxien Temples is a joke. Everything should be done in order to preserve our own crown jewels.
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 30th 2010, 14:12
Excellent news. Now the megalithic temples and the Fat Lady of Tarxien got there well deserved protection after spending millenia out in the open. Visitors my want to observe the stone roller balls which can be seen laying on the ground before the entrance which were used in order to transport the large stone slabs during construction of the temples. Literature on these Tarxien Megalithic Temples suggest that it once had a timber roof and looked different to what it looks like today.
Nice.