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HAL SAFLIENI HYPOGEUM

Religious building
4.4/5
61 review
Open - from 10h00 to 18h00 Opening hours

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Burial Street Paola, Paola, Malta Show on map
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2025
Recommended
2025

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).

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Visited in january 2025
Le prix ne vaut pas la peine
Visited in january 2025
Je suis déçu que le plus important site historique humain soit présenté avec autant de passion qu'un poisson mort.
Pourquoi les Gozitains ne sont-ils pas fiers de le montrer avec une voix humaine et une connexion.
On vous fait tourner en rond sans parler et on vous donne un minimum d'informations intéressantes, mais surtout un remplissage général que n'importe qui pourrait trouver sur la première page de Google. Il y a tant de choses à discuter et à explorer, mais ce n'est qu'une visite robotisée pour des gens robotisés. Allez, les GOZITANS, vous avez un bijou, montrez-le avec fierté et humanité, pas comme dans un fast-food.
Visited in january 2025
Un endroit pour les connaisseurs. L'entrée elle-même et le déroulement de la visite guidée donnent une impression de mysticisme et d'unicité alors que vous ne verrez rien de plus que sur les photos. Un must ? Je ne pense pas, mais si vous avez plus de temps à Malte, cela vaut la peine d'y jeter un coup d'œil.
Visited in january 2025
Une histoire absolument fascinante. Le personnel est compétent et serviable.
J'aurais aimé pouvoir en voir plus.
Visited in january 2025
Surprenant.
Définitivement recommandé, pas bon marché mais qui en vaut la peine.
Réservez vos billets, le nombre de visiteurs est limité !

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