Ras il-Wardija, Punic sanctuary in Kerċem, Malta
Ras il-Wardija is a Punic sanctuary in Kerċem, Malta, made up of chambers and terraces carved directly into a clifftop. The site also features a stepped basin likely used in rituals, a bell-shaped well for collecting water, and carved niches along the walls of the main chamber.
The sanctuary was built during the 3rd century BC and continued to be used until around the 4th century AD. Over that span, it served both Punic and Roman religious communities, making it one of the longer-lasting ritual sites on the island.
The main chamber of the sanctuary has five niches cut into the rock face, where worshippers would leave offerings during religious visits. The careful shaping of the space shows that people returned here over many generations to take part in rituals.
The site sits on a high cliff with uneven rock surfaces and steep drops, so solid footwear is strongly advised. There is very little shade on the way to and around the site, which makes early morning visits more comfortable during the warmer months.
A stone carving found at the site shows a figure with arms spread wide, thought to represent the Punic goddess Tanit. Such depictions are extremely rare in Malta, which makes this find stand out among all discoveries from the island.
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