Heritage Malta, in conjunction with the 9th European Week of Region and Cities co-organised in Brussels by the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions, will this Saturday be opening Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples free of charge to all visitors. The temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, both holders of World Heritage Site status, benefited from an ERDF project within the 2004-06 Structural Funds Programme.

The main aim of this ERDF project was to reduce the irreversible damage caused by deterioration and structural problems that the temples were facing due to their continuous exposure to the elements. Rain, sea salt spray and dust, fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity, solar radiation, sulphur oxide and nitrous oxide pollution, and volcanic emissions, as well as biological organisms, are some of those elements from which these precious Megalithic structures necessitated long-term protection.

The project included the construction of a Visitors’ Centre, improved accessibility and interpretation measures consisting of nature trails and interpretation facilities. Finally, the most important aspect of this project included the design and construction of shelters for the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra temples to assist in the conservation aspect of these sites.

Today, the result of this ERDF project is a dramatic reduction in the progressive deterioration of these World Heritage monuments by natural agents. Additionally, the project made it possible to improve further the visitor’s experience, through shelter of the temples from sun and rain, as well as improvements in the quality of the diffused light below the shelters and improved acoustics.

The Hagar Qim Park will be open for free throughout the day on Saturday 15th October. Opening times from 09:00 till 19:00. For further information please visit: http://heritagemalta.wordpress.com

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