Heritage Malta is organising two early-morning visits to the prehistoric Mnajdra Temples, on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September for members of the public.

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, 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. In prehistoric agricultural societies, observation of the motion of the stars, the moon and the sun could have been related to the changing seasons and times of planting and harvesting of crops.

Participants will meet at 6am in front of the main gate of Hagar Qim Temples to walk down to the Mnajdra Temples, afterwards they will climb back 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 (EUR11.65) per person. Since only a limited number of persons can participate, tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis. For more information, phone Heritage Malta on tel. 2295-4000.