Saflieni

Saflieni refers to Hal-Saflieni, the Maltese name for the site of the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni, a prehistoric underground temple and necropolis located in Paola, Malta. The name Saflieni is tied to the locality, and Ħal-Saflieni is often translated as “Saflieni’s Hall” or “the place of Saflieni.” The Hypogeum is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in the Maltese archipelago and a notable example of Neolithic underground architecture.

The site was discovered in 1902 by a local farmer during lime quarrying and was subsequently excavated and studied by Maltese archaeologists and later researchers. Dating places the complex in the late Neolithic period, with estimates commonly indicating construction and use roughly between 3600 and 2500 BCE, as part of Malta’s temple-building culture. The complex comprises a multi-level network of underground chambers connected by passages and a central vertical shaft, including areas used for burial and ceremonial purposes.

Saflieni is celebrated for its architectural planning, precise stonework, and evidence of sophisticated design, including ventilation provisions and the preservation of pigments in some spaces. In 1980, UNESCO inscribed the Hypogeum as part of the Megalithic Temples of Malta World Heritage Site, underscoring its global significance.

Today, access is controlled and limited to protect the fragile environment and the integrity of the monuments. Guided tours are required, with visitor numbers restricted to minimize impact. Saflieni remains a focal point for Maltese prehistory and for understanding early underground ceremonial space in the central Mediterranean.