Winter is coming! Catch the season’s first sunrise at Mnajdra Temples next weekend
The Mnajdra Temples have been around for approximately five millennia, and the skill and thought behind their construction still astounds visitors to this day. Astronomically aligned, the UNESCO World Heritage site provides a visual feast during particular hours on specific days, namely during equinoxes and solstices.
The shortest day of the year will provide the backdrop for another such occasion. Called the Winter Solstice, it occurs at a point where the poles are tilted as far away from the sun as possible. Thanks to the temple’s strategic placing, the sun’s rays will light up its edges, found along the passage connecting the first pair of chambers to the inner chambers.
The experience is said to be a mesmerizing one and provides a very cool way to welcome the new season with a sprinkle of magic. To commemorate this rare experience, Heritage Malta is organising a special outing, with interested participants invited to meet outside the Hagar Qim Visitor Centre on Saturday 21st December at 6.30am to catch the sun's first rays on the Mndajra Temples.
Daniel Cilia / Heritage Malta
Tickets for this event are available from Heritage Malta sites and museums, and online.