Ta’ Ħaġrat Megalithic Site

Discovered in 1917, the archaeological Site of Ta’ Ħaġrat, is situated at the heart of the rural village of Mġarr in the northwest of Malta. Offering panoramic views of the Maltese countryside, Ta’ Haġrat forms part of a group of local megalithic sites that were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. These buildings represent a milestone in humankind’s technological evolution.

Ta’ Ħaġrat consists of two megalithic structures. The larger and older of the two has a semi-circular facade with a monumental doorway, leading to a rectangular space measuring approximately 2.5m by 4.5m with semi-circular rooms on three sides. In prehistory, the eastern room was modified to make space for the smaller structure, which has a similar plan but was built with smaller stones. Ta’ Ħaġrat is built entirely of local Upper Coralline Limestone.

Prior to the site’s excavation, Ta’ Ħaġrat was simply a circular mound of stones covered by a very large carob tree in a field used for agricultural activity. Excavations were held in 1923, 1925, 1926, 1953, and 1961. Ceramic material from both earlier and later periods to those associated with megalithic buildings was recovered from this site, indicating that it was used both before and after the construction of the megalithic structure. Ta’ Ħaġrat invites the visitor to marvel at the genius of local megalithic construction in a time when builders had only stone, bone, and wooden tools at their disposal.

Tickets may be purchased from the Local council, Il-Barri Restaurant, Mgarr Farmers Bar, Triq Sir Temi Zammit 

Our offices open from Mon – Fri 8.00 am – 12.00 am and Saturday 8.00 am-11.00 am

The Management Plan for the Megalithic Temples of Malta provides a framework for decisions about the conservation, management, and enjoyment of the six sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.