Prehistoric Sites of Malta – Tarxien

Megalithic temples of Tarxien, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Below the design, on the right, the trilithon portal of the South Temple is depicted. At the upper right edge are the inscriptions "TARXIEN TEMPLES" and the dates "3600 – 2500 BC". At the lower left edge, the issuing country "MALTA" is shown, with the year of issue "2021" below it. At the lower right edge of the design, the initials "NGB" of the coin designer Noel Galea Bason are engraved.

This 2 euro commemorative coin exists in 3 variants. Those in the brilliant uncirculated coincard were minted in Pessac and bear the mint mark of the mint and of mintmaster Yves Sampo (MT-21 G3). The coins in the brilliant uncirculated coin set carry an "F" in the lower star (MT-21 G4). The coins from the rolls have no mint mark (MT-21 G2).

The Tarxien Temples are among the oldest and best-preserved megalithic heritage sites in Malta. The complex, located south of Valletta, was built in several phases between roughly 3600 and 2500 BC and consists of four interconnected temples constructed from massive limestone blocks. Particularly remarkable are the richly decorated interior walls with spiral reliefs and animal depictions, along with a monumental statue fragment that likely originally represented a larger-than-life figure. Excavations in the early 20th century under Themistocles Zammit also uncovered extensive remains of animal sacrifices and cultic implements, suggesting a complex ritual practice.

Together with five other prehistoric temple complexes on Malta and Gozo — including Ġgantija, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra — the Tarxien Temples were recognised in 1980 as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Megalithic Temples of Malta". They stand as evidence of a distinct island tradition that developed in parallel with the early civilisations of the Mediterranean, without direct models on the European mainland. For Malta, these sites are a central element of national identity: they demonstrate that the islands were permanently settled and culturally active thousands of years before the Phoenician, Roman and Arab periods. As part of its "Prehistoric Sites of Malta" series, Malta honoured the Tarxien Temples with a 2-euro commemorative coin in 2021.