The porthole doorway between the outer and inner southern apses.
The porthole doorway between the outer and inner southern apses.
All of the surfaces visible from the outer
apse are covered in elaborate pitted decoration, even the edges of the
flanking slabs have been included. This doorway is the only example of a route
between inner and outer apses in
any of the Mnajdra temples besides the usual axial passageway. The inner
southern apse is unusual in that it is
screened from the axial passageway by a restored pedestal altar which blocks
access by the normal route,
there is some doubt about the accuracy of the restoration, but this would
explain the need for the porthole doorway.
The inner southern apse is of a different shape to the other
apses and has niches and elaborate altars incorporated,
this was obviously a special space and the
wealth of decoration on its entrance bears testament to this.
The outer slab on the right is part of the "solar calendar"
incorporated into this temple, the broken upper left corner
of the stone is illuminated by the light of the rising sun on midsummer
solstice.