HAL SAFLIENI HYPOGEUM

To visit the Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni is to plunge deep into the bowels of the island, and it really is a must when visiting archaeological sites. In fact, you'll have the opportunity to visit the oldest example of a prehistoric hypogeum in the world. In Europe, it's the only known example of such a complex, dating from 4000 to 2500 B.C., and its refined architecture and state of preservation make it an essential monument to the prehistoric era. As such, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Entering this vast underground complex is bound to move you. Like a labyrinth, the hypogeum is a necropolis made up of rooms linked by passages and staircases. The site has lost some of its charm thanks to the modern facilities that have been installed, but it remains extremely interesting nonetheless. The tour lasts around fifty minutes and includes an audiovisual experience in two rooms, followed by an automated tour of the site. Multilingual audio guides are available, enabling you to follow the entire tour in French.
The site was discovered in 1902 by workers digging a well for a house built on the site. Between 1903 and 1906, Father Magri carried out intensive excavations of the site, but died before publishing his work. Investigations resumed in 1907 under the direction of Temi Zammit. We now know that it took years to build this underground complex. It was dug into the rock over 3 storeys using simple hardstone tools and reached 11 metres below today's street level. Built between 4,000 and 2,500 BC, it served as a resting place for probably over 7,000 people. Those buried there were accompanied by their jewelry and pottery.
The upper level, the oldest (4000 BC), may originally have been a natural cave that expanded over time. The other two lower levels were entirely dug out of the rock, with the chambers connected by passages, platforms and galleries. The features of the middle level closely resemble some of the elements found in contemporary aerial megalithic complexes. This intermediate level is captivating, with murals executed in red ochre and architectural elements carved in living rock. Numerous statuettes, amulets, vases and figurines have been discovered in the hypogeum. Among these is the Sleeping Lady, on display at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. This is a unique and remarkable work of art, distinct throughout the European Neolithic.
It is clear that the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum demonstrates a relationship between the society of the living and the afterlife. "On entering the Hypogeum, in the dim light of torches that reveal the tangle of caves and galleries, as well as the strange lines of this extraordinary architecture, one retains an impression of astonishment. An air of profound mystery pervades the place, and visitors feel the need to stop and get a general view of the walls of the wasps' nest before observing each cavity and passage in detail. When you get used to the darkness, you're immediately struck by the bizarre architectural style", says Themistocles Zammit (1864-1935).