Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Paola — the prehistoric underground necropolis (UNESCO)

What is the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum?

The Hypogeum is a complex of chambers, halls and passages cut into the living rock beneath Paola, created and used over many centuries in the Neolithic period. It functioned both as a burial place and as a sanctuary, and its name has been given to a whole phase of Maltese prehistory (the Saflieni phase). It is the only prehistoric subterranean structure of its scale and character known anywhere.

Where is the Hypogeum?

The Hypogeum lies in a residential street in Paola, in the Southern Harbour area of Malta, close to the Tarxien Temples. Because access is tightly controlled, visitors must arrive at the time of their pre-booked slot.

History of the Hypogeum

The Hypogeum was carved over more than a thousand years from around 4000 BC. It was accidentally discovered in 1902 during building work, and was investigated first by Father Manuel Magri and then by the archaeologist Themistocles Zammit. Excavations recovered the remains of a very large number of individuals along with pottery, ornaments and figurines — most famously the 'Sleeping Lady', a small clay figure now kept in the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta.

What to see at the Hypogeum

• The three levels — chambers descending through upper, middle and lower levels carved from the rock.
• The Oracle Room — a chamber known for its acoustic resonance.
• The 'Holy of Holies' — an elaborately carved chamber imitating the architecture of the above-ground temples.
• Red-ochre spiral paintings — rare surviving prehistoric decoration on the ceilings.

Conservation and why it matters

The Hypogeum is extremely fragile: humidity and the breath of visitors can damage its surfaces and paintings. For this reason it is kept under a controlled microclimate and only a small number of people may enter each day, in timed groups. It offers an unmatched window into the religious and funerary world of Malta's temple builders, complementing the open-air temples above ground.

Visiting the Hypogeum

Entry is by pre-booked timed ticket only, with a very limited number of places released each day; tickets often sell out far in advance. Hours, prices and booking arrangements should be checked with Heritage Malta before planning a visit. Young children are generally not admitted because of the conservation regime.