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Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

Colour Malta FEAR 2022-2

The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an ancient underground burial chamber located in Paola, Malta. It was built around 2500 BC and was used for over a millennium as a necropolis, or city of the dead.

The hypogeum is a unique architectural feat, consisting of a series of interconnected chambers and passageways carved into the soft limestone bedrock. The complex is divided into three levels and contains several decorated rooms, including the "Holy of Holies" and the "Oracle Room". The walls and ceilings of these chambers are adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, many of which depict abstract patterns, human figures, and animals.

The hypogeum was first discovered in 1902, and since then it has been the subject of much speculation and mystery. Many people believe that the hypogeum was used for ritualistic purposes, possibly as a site for ancestor worship or as a place of initiation for members of a secret society. Others have suggested that the hypogeum may have been used as an underground temple or even as a place of healing.

Today, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open to visitors on a limited basis to preserve its fragile state. Due to its unique and enigmatic nature, the hypogeum continues to capture the imagination of people from all over the world.