Lascaris War Rooms, World War II underground headquarters in Valletta, Malta.
The Lascaris War Rooms is an underground military headquarters located beneath Valletta's Upper Barracca Gardens, sitting about 150 feet (45 meters) below ground level. The tunnel network houses operational centers and communication facilities that were used to coordinate military strategies and movements.
The British military established these underground chambers in 1940 to coordinate Malta's defense during wartime and later directed the invasion of Sicily from this location. The facility continued operating long after the war ended, maintaining strategic importance.
The restored rooms display original military equipment from the 1940s including maps, plotting tables, and communication devices that show how soldiers worked and shared information during wartime. Walking through these spaces helps visitors understand the daily operations and coordination that took place.
Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since there are many narrow corridors and stairs that can be slippery, particularly after damp conditions. The underground environment stays cool year-round and can feel dark, so bringing a light jacket is helpful.
After the war, NATO continued using the facility until 1977 to monitor Soviet submarines moving through the Mediterranean Sea. This peaceful monitoring operation tracked an entirely different kind of military threat.
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