Just minutes apart, the two sites tell different parts of the same story: that of the communities who lived in Malta thousands of years ago, leaving behind extraordinary evidence of their beliefs, skills and way of life.

Carved into the rock and used between approximately 4000 BC and 1500 BC, the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum served as an underground burial and ritual complex. Its network of chambers, passages and halls offers a fascinating insight into prehistoric architecture and funerary practices. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the Mediterranean.

A short distance away, the Ħal Tarxien Prehistoric Complex offers a different perspective on this ancient world. The site comprises four megalithic structures, with monumental stone blocks, intricate spiral carvings and other decorative details that provide clues to the activities and beliefs of the people who built them.

Visiting both sites gives you a fuller picture of prehistoric Malta. At the Hypogeum, you can explore an extraordinary underground complex associated with burial and ritual. At Ħal Tarxien, the remains of monumental structures offer further insight into the lives and practices of the island’s early communities.