Informational Brief on the Church of St. Paul in Rabat
The Church of St. Paul in Rabat, Malta, is an outstanding example of Baroque architecture, built between 1653 and 1683 under the designs of Italian architect Francesco Buonamici (1596–1677). After 1664, construction was overseen by Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà (1639–1703). The church was erected on the site of an earlier 15th-century structure.
The building integrates three sacred sites:
1. St. Paul’s Grotto, where the apostle is believed to have stayed after his shipwreck.
2. A cemetery, located on the left.
3. The Church of St. Publius, which was seamlessly incorporated into the overall façade design.
The façade features two identical entrances, symbolizing the equal importance of all three sacred spaces.
Structure and Architecture
• Façade: The façade’s design is innovative, uniting three sacred sites into a visually cohesive structure. Statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, completed in 1726, stand at the entrance.
• Dome: The dome was reconstructed in 1924 after an earthquake in 1923 that caused the collapse of the choir vaults, sacristy, and two transepts.
Miracles and Symbolism
• The Shipwreck of St. Paul: According to biblical tradition, Apostle Paul was shipwrecked off the coast of Malta. The main altarpiece (1678), painted by Maltese artist Stefano Erardi, depicts this event. The central scene portrays Paul shaking off a venomous viper, whose bite miraculously caused him no harm. This moment, witnessed by men and women in awe, is a testament to Paul’s sanctity.
• St. Paul’s Grotto: This site is one of Malta’s most venerated places. It is believed to be where Paul converted the island’s first Christians.