Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Ipoġew ta' Ħal Saflieni
The world's only known prehistoric underground temple, with three levels of burial chambers cut into rock about 5,000 years ago; a World Heritage Site.
The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum lies beneath a residential area of Paola and was discovered by accident in 1902 during house construction. It is a three-level underground complex carved progressively downward into limestone between roughly 4000 and 2500 BC, serving as both a burial site and a place of worship; archaeologists have found the remains of about 7,000 people. Inside, the stone chambers imitate the lintels and pillars of the above-ground megalithic temples, and some ceilings still retain ochre spiral paintings. The middle level's “Oracle Room” has a remarkable acoustic effect, where a deep male voice echoes throughout the whole complex. The “Sleeping Lady” clay figurine found here is displayed in the National Archaeological Museum in Valletta. To protect the interior microclimate, only about 10 people are admitted per hour, and photography is prohibited. Tickets are expensive (about €35–50; check the official site for current prices) and usually need to be booked several weeks or even months ahead on the Heritage Malta website, though small numbers of next-day tickets are occasionally released.
Opening hours
About 09:00–16:00, guided tour every hour (check Heritage Malta website)
Nearby sights
- Tarxien Temples
- Birgu (Vittoriosa) & the Three Cities
- Fort St. Angelo
- Lascaris War Rooms
- Upper Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery
- St. John's Co-Cathedral
- Valletta
- Grandmaster's Palace