Probably the most inaccessible attraction in Malta is the underground temple of Hal Saflini. Hard to access not because it is difficult to get to. No, it is located in the centre of Paola, a few blocks away from the parish church. The Hal Saflini hypogeum is very difficult to get into. Entry is only allowed with tickets purchased online. And they are sold weeks or even months in advance. To get into the museum with some tourist group will not work either.
Construction of the complex Hal Saflini was begun in 4000 BC. It consists of three levels connected by a spiral staircase. Researchers believe that the hypogeum of Hal Saflini is the oldest underground temple on the entire planet. The temple is cut into the limestone rock at a depth of 12 metres. It was discovered during the preparation of an excavation for the construction of a residential building. At first, the research work here was carried out by the priest Emmanuel, and after his death the famous local archaeologist T. Zammit became interested in the hypogeum. In his opinion, this temple was the location of an oracle that predicted the future, which made the Maltese archipelago one of the most popular places in the Mediterranean at that time.
At first, the upper temple, created in a cave, was cleared of debris. It is the oldest of the three underground sanctuaries. Beneath it are the contemporaries of the temples of Jhantia and Tarshin. These "younger" structures are richly decorated and feature a larger area than the upper temple. On the middle level, the most interesting are the oracle hall with a red ceiling and floral ornamentation on the walls and the room of the holy of holies, whose walls are decorated with skilful stone carvings. On the third level are the ceremonial rooms. In the temple of Hal Saflini was discovered a huge burial of people. The remains of about 7,000 skeletons were found here.
