The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum: Paola (Insight Heritage Guides)

At first, it seemed that yet another early Christian catacomb had been discovered. For, indeed, the Hal Saflieni hypogeum is not unlike the underground cemeteries of the early Christian era. It was only after the interior of the underground structure was examined that the unusual character of the monument's features was noticed. It soon became clear that the Hal Saflieni discovery was much older than at first thought. The year was 1902. A century later, the hypogeum became a centrepiece of Maltese cultural heritage and a recognized milestone in the history of world architecture. Its place among UNESCO's long list of world heritage sites remains undisputed.