Mġarr walking tour

Heritage Malta will be organising a walking tour at the quaint village of Mġarr. This tour includes visits to Ta’ Ħaġrat and Skorba Temples and an underground flour mill.

Ta’ Ħaġrat includes two well-preserved prehistoric structures. The site was excavated between 1923 and 1926 with some other minor interventions in 1953 and in the 1960s. The larger of the two buildings dates from the earliest phases of megalithic construction – the Ġgantija phase (3600 – 3200 BC). This structure has a monumental doorway and facade which give the site two of its most awe-inspiring and renowned characteristics. Ceramic material from both earlier and later periods was also found within the site, indicating it was used both before and after the construction of the Temples.

Skorba was the first megalithic site where modern excavation techniques were used, identifying stratified deposits of archaeological material from all known phases of Maltese prehistory. Skorba is best known for the discovery of two megalithic structures, dating to the Ġgantija (3600 - 3000 BC) and the Tarxien (3000 - 2500 BC) phases. Large quantities of pottery fragments and animal bone, fragments of stylized female figurines and the remains of a number of domestic huts dating to various phases of Maltese prehistory were found within the site.

Both Ta’ Ħaġrat and Skorba Temples are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The underground flour mill is one of seven underground flour mills that were constructed by the British Military Services during the Cold War (1950s) as part of the civil defence measures in place back then. The purpose of these mills was to sustain the local population with bread in case of a nuclear attack within the Mediterranean region.

The tour will be held this Sunday 15th April and will be led by a local historian. The meeting point for participants is in front of the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana, at 0900hrs. Participants are being advised to wear comfortable shoes as the tour involves a considerable amount of walking.

The number of tickets available is limited and bookings are on a first come first served basis. Tickets for the price of €15 and €12 for seniors, students and Heritage Malta members, are available from all Heritage Malta museums and sites and online.

For more information please call on 23954000 or 23954242 or visit the agency’s website page, www.heritagemalta.org