Situated approximately 45 meters deep beneath the Upper Barracca Gardens and the Saluting Battery in Valletta, the Lascaris War Rooms stand as one of Malta’s best-kept secrets from World War Two. Opened in time for Operation Husky - the Allied invasion of Sicily on 9/10 July 1943, these War Rooms comprise a vast network of underground tunnels and chambers that served as the British armed forces' Combined War HQ in Malta. From this strategic location, US General Dwight Eisenhower, as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, launched the invasion of Sicily in 1943. The War Rooms played a crucial role in directing the defense of the island against Axis aggression and the Mediterranean War in general.
In the immediate post-war years it was shared with NATO's HAFMED until 1970 and remained in constant use until July 1977. With its well-maintained authentic interiors, the site offers a unique glimpse into the secretive and complex world of combined operations, as pioneered in this building by the Royal Navy, the British Army, and Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
LASCARIS WAR
ROOMS
Monday - Saturday: 10.00 - 16:30
Last admission- 16:00
(Except on 24,25 and 31 Dec, 1 Jan, Good Friday and Easter)
Lascaris War Rooms, Lascaris Ditch,
VLT 2000, Valletta, Malta
Members: FREE
Adult (16+ years old): €14
Child (5-15 years old): €7
Senior: €12
Family (2 adults + 3 u/16 yr olds): €28
Entrance Fees (incl. guided tour & audio-guide)
CLICK TO SEE IN FULL SCREEN
The role of Malta in the invasion of Sicily
'Operation Husky'
Stand in the same spot from which General Eisenhower launched 'Operation Husky - the Allied invasion of Sicily on the night of 9/10 July 1943
The World's First Integrated System at the Lascaris war rooms
Learn how enemy Aircrafts where interrupted by the world's first Air Defence System - Combining Radar, Ground Observers, Fighter Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Contact
Opening Hours
Need More Info?
+356 21234717
Mon - Sat
10:00 am - 04:30 pm
(Except on 24,25 and 31 Dec, 1 Jan, Good Friday and Easter)
info@wirtartna.org
Sunday
Closed
Directions
All buses to Valletta. Once in Valletta there are two ways of reaching the Lascaris War Rooms. The first one is directly through the bottom of the Valletta bus station entering Ganado Gardens and taking the first turn on the left into a short tunnel that leads into Lascaris Ditch and then on the right going into the Lascaris Tunnel. The second one is from Castille Place onto the Upper Baracca Gardens into the Saluting Battery from where you can also buy tickets and get the final directions.
RECOMMENDED
To truly grasp the history and evolution of combined operations in Malta, it's recommended to explore the Lascaris War Rooms alongside the older War HQ Tunnels, which it partially replaced in 1943. By doing so, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Malta's wartime heritage.
The Lascaris War Rooms house various key facilities, including the second WW2 RAF Filter Room, the WW2 Royal Artillery Anti-aircraft Gun Operations Room, the NATO Combined Operations Room, and accommodations for both senior officers and other ranks. Additionally, it offers direct access across the Valletta Ditch to the SS Peter and Paul Counter-guard. For those eager to delve deeper, guided tours of the nearby St. Peter's Galleries are available. These galleries, which began excavation in 1941 as a replacement Combined Operations HQ, remain remarkably intact and provide a fascinating glimpse into Malta's wartime past.
Tours of the War HQ Tunnels start at the Lascaris War Rooms in Valletta. All of these tours are included in the HERITAGE PASS, offering a 40% discount on the normal individual entrance fees.
