Church of St Paul's Shipwreck
Church of St Paul's Shipwreck features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Valletta. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Valletta Valletta guide
About Church of St Paul's Shipwreck
One of Valletta's original parish churches, keeper of the story that St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, with venerated relics and a much-loved gilded statue of the saint.
The Church of St Paul's Shipwreck is one of Valletta's original parish churches, first built in the 1570s to designs by Girolamo Cassar and completed by 1582. It is dedicated to the Apostle Paul, venerated as the spiritual father of the Maltese after his shipwreck on the island, an event recorded in the New Testament and preserved in Maltese tradition. The church was later enlarged and rebuilt, gaining a dome attributed to Lorenzo Gafa, while the present facade, designed by Nicola Zammit, dates to 1885.
Its treasures include a gilded wooden statue of St Paul carved in 1659 by the sculptor Melchiorre Cafa, and venerated relics: a bone said to be from the saint's right wrist and part of the column on which, by tradition, he was beheaded in Rome. Artworks include an altarpiece by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio. The Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck, on 10 February, is a public holiday in Malta, when the statue is carried in procession. The church forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valletta.
Did you know? The church guards two venerated relics: a bone said to be from St Paul's right wrist, and a fragment of the column on which, by tradition, he was beheaded in Rome.
How long is a visit to Church of St Paul's Shipwreck?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Church of St Paul's Shipwreck. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Church of St Paul's Shipwreck worth your time?
Church of St Paul's Shipwreck is among the 14 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Valletta, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Valletta
Day 1 of the Valletta in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Church of St Paul's Shipwreck
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