The Catacombs of Malta

The Catacombs of Malta are subterranean passageways that are man-made and used for religious purposes. They were usually used as burial places. Although the word “catacomb” is of Roman origin, the practice of burying dead in such locations goes much further than the borders of Ancient Rome.

The most famous of these structures in Malta are St Paul’s Catacombs, which may be found within the ancient city of Rabat. These catacombs represent the largest and the earliest evidence of such structures in the country. They are a typical labyrinth of underground and interconnected Roman burial sites that provide evidence of use right up until the 4th century AD. Their association to the saint derives from the myth that this cluster of catacombs was once connected with St Paul’s Grotto.

Roman law did not allow the burial of human remains within the confines of a city and the catacombs were thus built on the outskirts of the area. The site was discovered and cleared in 1894 by Dr A.A. Caruana, who was a pioneer of Christian archaeology in Malta,

The entrance to the main complex of the catacombs is marked by two large pillars that resemble Doric columns and are equipped with large circular tables with sloping sides which are reminiscent of the type of couches (triclinium) which were common in Roman houses. It is believed that these areas were used to host commemorative meals during the annual Roman festival of the dead. During this event, the burial rites would be repeated and renewed.

After Roman times, the Catacombs of Malta were used by early Christians, who secretly met and celebrated mass here.

The St Paul and adjacent St Agatha’s Catacombs are important for their remarkable medieval frescoes, some of which date back from the 12th century. A characteristic feature of the catacombs in Malta is the `agape tables’ hewn out of the rock. Here, mourners would hold a `wake’ – probably a farewell meal – in honour of the deceased.

Although much smaller than the catacombs of Rome and other large Roman centres, these catacombs are a very good example of the Maltese underground architecture, which is the result of an indigenous development that was barely influenced by overseas traditions.

Nowadays, these Catacombs of Malta are under the care of Heritage Malta and are a must-see location when visiting the island.