A few minutes beyond Mdina's walls, beneath the streets of Rabat, the island opens up underground. St Paul's Catacombs are the largest burial complex ever found in Malta — a sprawling network of passages and carved tomb chambers in use from roughly the 3rd to the 8th centuries AD. Christian, Jewish and Pagan tombs sit side by side here, making it one of the earliest pieces of physical evidence for Christianity in Malta. It is utterly unlike anything above ground.
The carved passages
Visitors descend into a cool, silent network of passages lined with agape — carved stone tomb chambers used for communal burial. Ceremonial stone tables (mensae) mark the spots where the living dined with the dead on feast days.
Three faiths, side by side
What makes the site remarkable is the peaceful co-existence of Christian, Jewish and Pagan tombs carved in the same rock. It is among the earliest physical evidence of Christianity on Maltese soil.
The visitor centre
A well-designed visitor centre above ground explains the archaeology clearly before you descend. Good signage underground too — allow 30–60 minutes and wear comfortable shoes for the steps and low ceilings.