St. Paul's Cathedral

Mdina, Malta

St. Paul's Cathedral in Mdina was built on the site where governor Publius was reported to have met Saint Paul following his shipwreck off the Maltese coast. According to tradition, the first Cathedral of Malta was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God but, having fallen into ruin during the Muslim period, it was rebuilt following the Norman conquest and re-dedicated to St Paul. The old church was modified and enlarged several times.

The building we can see today was designed by the architect Lorenzo Gafa, it was built between 1697 and 1702 to replace a ruined Norman cathedral destroyed by the 1693 earthquake on Malta. Despite this, several artifacts and edifices survived including the painting by the Calabrian artist Mattia Preti depicting the conversion of Saint Paul, a 15th-century Tuscan painting of the Madonna and Child, and frescoes in the apse which illustrate Paul's shipwreck.

The architect Lorenzo Gafa designed the Cathedral in Baroque style. It sits at the end of a rectangular square. The near-square facade is cleanly divided in three bays by the Corinthian order of pilasters. There are two bell towers at the both corners. The plan is a Latin cross with a vaulted nave, two aisles and two small side chapels. The Cathedral has a light octagonal dome, with eight stone scrolls above a high drum leading up to a neat lantern.

One of the main features of the interior is the rich colorful tessellated floor. Many of the furnishings of the cathedral, including the baptismal font and the portal, are carved out of Irish wood.

The cathedral also has a substantial collection of silver plates and coins, and some carvings by the German artist Albrecht Dürer.

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Address

Triq Mesquita, Mdina, Malta
See all sites in Mdina

Details

Founded: 1697-1702
Category: Religious sites in Malta

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Kalpesh Kashyap (3 months ago)
Beautiful cathedral inside Mdina, good spot for photos. There is another entry to buy tickets and see the second largest cathedral dome in the world from inside & museum as well but we didn’t go inside. You can’t miss it while walking inside Mdina so do visit.
Djohli (3 months ago)
Really nice Church to see in the beautiful historical city of Mdina. The rich culture of Malta is seen in its architecture. Around the church are coffee shops and souvenir shops so you can enjoy the view of the church while drinking your favorite coffee.
Romein Nimantha (4 months ago)
St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in the heart of Mdina, Malta’s old capital city, is an absolute masterpiece of Baroque architecture and a profound historical site. It is believed that St. Paul and St. Luke visited this location, adding spiritual significance to its grandeur. The cathedral serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Malta and houses an extraordinary collection of ancient art pieces and historical statues. The intricate floor, adorned with tombstones of cardinals, bishops, and priests, narrates centuries of ecclesiastical history. A unique highlight is the underground cemetery beneath the cathedral, still in use for parishioners, accessible through a door near the main entrance. For €10 per adult, you gain access to both the cathedral and the nearby museum, making it a highly worthwhile experience. The museum showcases even more artifacts and art tied to Malta’s rich Catholic heritage. St. Paul’s Cathedral is not just a visit; it’s an immersion into Malta’s spiritual, artistic, and historical essence. Highly recommended for anyone exploring Mdina.
jezzaftw (4 months ago)
A golden standard for customer service everywhere. The museum and Cathedral itself are beautiful. On the day i visited i had an issue with my hotel and had to carry a large bag with me, the desk staff kindly offered to keep the bag with them. The relics in the museum are extraordinary with their lavish decorations and metal work. The cathedral too is impressive with its majestic paintings and floors
Marcel Bohunský (6 months ago)
Saint Paul's Cathedral, also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul, is located in Mdina, the former capital of Malta. Here are some key points about the cathedral: 1. History: The cathedral is said to be built on the site where Roman governor Publius met Saint Paul after his shipwreck on Malta around 60 AD. 2. Architecture: The current structure dates back to the late 17th century, built between 1697 and 1702. It was designed by Lorenzo Gafà, a Maltese architect, in the Baroque style. 3. Exterior: The cathedral has an impressive façade with twin bell towers and a large dome that dominates Mdina's skyline. 4. Interior: Inside, you'll find ornate decorations, including frescoes, marble work, and gilded details. The floor is covered with tombstones of nobles and clergy. 5. Artworks: The cathedral houses numerous artworks, including paintings by notable Maltese artists like Mattia Preti. 6. Religious significance: It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta. 7. Tourism: The cathedral is a popular tourist attraction in Mdina, often visited along with other historical sites in the "Silent City." Saint Paul's Cathedral, Mdina
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