At first light! Here's how you can welcome summer like the Maltese did in ancient times
The new season officially kicks off this Sunday.
Summer officially kicks off on the 21st of June, i.e. this Sunday, and what better way to welcome the new season like the Maltese did in the olden times?
To commemorate the new season, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to join in on a rare event happening this weekend. Called the Summer Solstice, the sun can be seen rising in alignment with the Mnajdra Temples, an occurrence that can only be observed on the first day of summer.
It is not certain whether the structure was constructed intentionally in this way, however it is definitely highly probable! It is believed that prehistoric agricultural societies observed the movement of the stars, moon and sun as a form of time-keeping that would indicate the correct time to plant and harvest crops.
Those interested can gather near Ħaġar Qim Visitor Centre at 5.30am on Saturday 20th June, with all attendees requested to wear a face mask and respect social distancing. Tickets, priced at €25 for the general public and €15 for members, can be purchased on the Heritage Malta website or from the museums and sites open during weekends: Fort St Elmo, Fort St Angelo, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, Tarxien Temples and Ġgantija Temples, and the National Museum of Archaeology.
A live stream of the Summer Solstice will also be presented from the Ħaġar Qim Temples, starting at 5.45am on Heritage Malta’s Facebook Page. The live stream which will be in English with Maltese subtitles and forms part of the European Archaeology Days programme taking place between the 19th and 21st June.
Will you be watching?