#778 : Exploring Malta’s largest catacombs

Populated since the Neolithic period, the archipelago of Malta has always been a strategic location for the various surrounding civilizations of the Mediterranean. The Phoenicians, who colonized Malta around the 8th century BC, would be at the origin of the foundation of the city of Melita, known as Mdina, on a rocky plateau, in the heart of the main island.

During the conquest of the Maltese archipelago by Rome around 218 BC, the city of Mdina developed considerably to become the capital of the newly Romanized island. An imposing enclosure was then built and a large necropolis developed beyond its walls. According to the “Acts of the Apostles”, Saint Paul found refuge there in the year 60, after being shipwrecked off the archipelago. He would then have evangelized most of the island and remains today the patron saint of the parishes of Mdina, Valletta and Rabat.

Abandoned at the end of the Middle Ages, the catacombs, an incredible archaeological site forming a network of more than 2000 square meters under the city, were rediscovered in the 19th century and were rebuilt with the name of the apostle. The site was fully investigated in 1894 by a Maltese archaeologist. The catacombs have both Christian and pagan tombs, dating from the 4th and 5th centuries AD. These are the largest catacombs on the island of Malta.

Access is by stairs leading to two large rooms, equipped with two circular tables and several benches, all carved directly into the rock. These elements were probably used for commemorative meals during the annual feast of the dead. These rooms mark the entrance to a dense network of galleries in which follow one another tombs of different sizes and from different periods. There are many holes dug everywhere in the walls to fix oil lamps, as well as some wells which ensured a minimum of ventilation. Other entrances exist, giving access to a multitude of collective and individual tombs. Nearly 400 graves have been identified on this site alone!