Lascaris War Rooms, Valletta

The Lascaris War Rooms constitute an underground network of tunnels and chambers located in Valletta. They served as the War Headquarters during the Second World War, overseeing the defense strategies of the island. Initially constructed by the British in 1940 amidst the siege of Malta, these underground passages expanded upon existing structures, including former slave quarters dating back to the Hospitaller period. By early 1943, the complex was fully operational.

Named after the nearby Lascaris Battery, itself honoring Grandmaster Giovanni Paolo Lascaris, who once cultivated a garden on the site, the war rooms boasted specialized operations rooms for each military branch. From here, both the defense of Malta and broader Mediterranean operations were coordinated. Noteworthy features included the Coast Defence Room for planning amphibious invasion defenses and the Filter Room for synthesizing information from diverse sources, including the naval station at Auberge de Castille.

During the war, approximately 1000 individuals, including 240 soldiers, worked within these confines. Post-war, Lascaris served as the Headquarters for the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet. Subsequently, in 1967, NATO repurposed the complex as a strategic Communication Centre, focusing on monitoring Soviet submarine activity in the Mediterranean. This function persisted until the complex ceased operations in 1977.

In 1992, the complex transitioned to private ownership, undergoing refurbishment to become accessible to the public. Today, visitors can explore this historically significant site, gaining insights into its wartime role and subsequent transformations.