St. Paul's Catacombs

St. Paul's Catacombs are some of the most prominent features of Malta's early Christianity archeology [1]. The archeological clearing of the site has revealed an extensive system of underground galleries and tombs dating from the third to the eighth centuries CE [1]. The site was first fully investigated in 1894 by Dr. Antonio Annetto Caruana [1]. St. Paul's catacombs are part of a large cemetery once located outside the walls of the ancient Roman city of Melite, now covered by the smaller Mdina and Rabat [1]. It also comprises the catacombs of Saint Agatha, San Katald, St. Augustine, and many others [1]. The main complex, covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters, is so far the largest catacomb ever to be found on the island [1]. The two halls at the bottom of the entrance stairs show two agape tables (circular tables hewn out of the living rock and used for ceremonial meals commemorating dead relatives) [1]. Although the complex contains almost all of the burial types found in the Maltese repertoire, the best represented are so-called baldacchino tombs [1].