What to see in Rabat
The main attractions available here are its famous Christian Catacombs. Find out more information about this unique attraction here below.
Rabat Malta’s Mysterious Catacombs
Under the Roman rule, Christians in Malta had to resort to burying their dead in isolated subterranean cemeteries. The catacombs here, therefore, played an important religious part during the early days of Christianity. It was illegal to bury anyone inside the city limits under the Roman rule. These catacombs comprise of long corridors underground with several tombs.
St. Paul’s Catacombs
The famous St. Paul is believed to have shipwrecked in Malta in around 60 AD. The catacombs are essentially a maze of early burial chambers used by Christians during this period. They are set on several levels, and it is estimated that there are more than 1,000 tombs here. It really takes an adventurous and daring individual to check out this great attraction.
The entrance is a primitive, ancient chapel where the people assembled for prayers when performing the burial ceremony. It is quite an impressive site as it is one of the first archaeological evidences of Christianity religion in Malta. If you like historical or religious sites or you simply want to visit an amazing archaeological site, then you should definitely come and visit this spot.
St. Agatha’s Catacombs
The other Christian catacombs are the St. Agatha’s catacombs, which were actively in use until the end of the 17th century. They are located on St. Agatha Street, Rabat Malta. In these particular catacombs, both adults and children were buried, and over 500 tombs have since been discovered. There is also a notable crypt in which it is alleged that St. Agatha hid in 249AD as she was fleeing Catania due to the on-going Roman persecution of Christians. Other notable features on this site include pagan burial chambers that have original skeletons still intact in open tombs. In addition to the tombs, there are some stunning ancient frescoes located within the two chapels inside the crypt.
The Christian catacombs in Rabat Malta offer a glimpse into the lives of early Christians in Malta. It is the largest underground cemetery found in Mdina, and it is a significant, spiritual hub. The various types of tombs give a clear picture of the intense work involved in digging such cemeteries. Contact us today to schedule a visit to this archaeological site of great religious and historical importance.
