Tas-Silg Archaeological Complex - Phoenician Temple

A multi-period sanctuary spanning 4,000 years, where Phoenicians built a temple to Astarte upon prehistoric megalithic foundations around 700 BC. The only known example of Phoenicians adapting a Maltese prehistoric temple for their own worship.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Stand Where Phoenicians Stood on a 5,000-Year-Old Altar History · Price: low

   When Phoenicians arrived from Tyre around 700 BC, they found an altar stone here that was ALREADY 2,000 years old — and placed their own altar directly on top of it. At Tas-Silg Archaeological Complex (Delimara Peninsula hilltop, GPS: 35.84583° N, 14.55185° E), that stacked altar predates the pyramids, with Phoenician stone resting on prehistoric stone, layer on layer, faith on faith. The site is CLOSED to the general public — call Heritage Malta at +356 2165 7999 or use the 'Book Your Appointment' form at heritagemalta.mt. Alternatively, attend the FREE annual Marsaxlokk Day open day (typically third Sunday of September). Ask your guide to show you the threshold slab with three holes pierced through it — libation holes for offerings or stakes for animal skulls. Look southeast from the hilltop at Marsaxlokk Bay — the last sight of land before open Mediterranean.

   Backup: If the site is closed and no open day is scheduled, Heritage Malta's National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta (35.8988° N, 14.5133° E) holds Punic artifacts and votive inscriptions from Tas-Silg excavations. Admission ~€5.

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2. 2 Decode Cicero's Crime Scene — Find the Temple Juno Couldn't Protect History · Free

   In 70 BC, Cicero stood in a Roman courtroom and named this hilltop temple as Exhibit A against governor Gaius Verres, who had plundered offerings that 'pirates and Numidian princes' had left in devotion. At Tas-Silg (35.84583° N, 14.55185° E), Cicero described how King Massinissa's admiral had removed ivory tusks of 'incredible size' as offerings — meaning this Maltese hilltop was receiving gifts from African royalty. The Phoenician goddess Astarte — goddess of love, war, and seafaring, chief deity of Tyre — was renamed Juno by Romans who kept the sacred site running for another five centuries. Find the area where the Roman colonnaded portico stood (added around 300 BC as the sanctuary's wealth grew). Ships from every port in the Mediterranean brought offerings here. The temple was sacred enough that plundering it was a courtroom scandal — the only Phoenician-adapted prehistoric temple in the known ancient world.

   Backup: For those visiting without a guide, the view from outside the fence toward the hilltop is freely accessible. The context — Cicero's speech — can be read online (Loeb Classical Library, In Verrem Book IV, sections on Melita).

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3. 3 Count the Phoenician Eyes in Marsaxlokk Harbour — 2,700 Years of Unbroken Tradition Adventure · Free

   Every single fishing boat in Marsaxlokk Harbour has a pair of eyes painted on its bow — called 'Għajn' in Maltese, they are the Eye of Horus, directly traceable to Phoenician seafaring tradition. Walk the full length of the waterfront promenade (Xatt is-Sajjieda, GPS: 35.8413° N, 14.5440° E) — about 600 metres from the church to the far fishing fleet mooring. The Phoenicians who worshipped Astarte on the hilltop above this bay 2,700 years ago painted protective eyes on their ships to ward off evil at sea. The tradition passed to Greek, Roman, and Arab sailors; Maltese fishermen inherited it and never stopped. Men who aren't even superstitious still paint the eyes 'as a nod to tradition.' Count how many boats have the eyes (all of them). Notice the variation — simple paint strokes to intricately carved and gilded. On Sunday mornings (market runs ~7 AM until late morning), watch fishermen mend nets while boats rock below watchful eyes.

   Backup: Any day of the week, the harbour and boats are accessible for free. The Sunday market is the best time (arrive by 9 AM before sell-out). The fishing fleet is here 365 days a year.

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4. 4 Toast the Goddess With Malta's Oldest Grape — Order Gellewza at the Waterfront Wine · Price: moderate

   The Phoenicians brought 4,000-year-old winemaking tradition to Malta, and the island's two indigenous grapes — Gellewza (red) and Girgentina (white) — exist nowhere else on earth. At waterfront restaurants on Xatt is-Sajjieda (best options: Liska Restaurant, Harbour by Johann, or Hunter's Tower, GPS: 35.8413° N, 14.5440° E), order Marsovin 1919 Gellewza DOK (€5–7/glass) or Meridiana Isis Girgentina. Gellewza — its name from Arabic for 'hazelnut' — produces light, fresh reds with strawberry and red plum. Same Mediterranean sailors who made offerings to Astarte while looking out at this bay drank wine from these island vines. Pair with Aljotta — traditional Maltese fish soup with garlic, tomato, rice, and morning's catch (~€12–15). No reservation needed for lunch weekdays; Sundays arrive before 12:30 PM. If it's September–November, ask for fresh lampuki (dolphinfish) with chilled Girgentina.

   Backup: Any waterfront restaurant will have local wine. If you can't find Gellewza specifically, order any Maltese DOK wine over imported options — you're supporting a tradition that stretches from Phoenician amphorae to today's harvest.

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Insider tips

• Currently closed to public but available for group visits by appointment through Heritage Malta

• Contact Heritage Malta in advance to arrange access

• The hilltop offers stunning views of Marsaxlokk Bay