Catacombs of San Paolo and Crypt of Sant'Agata

Catacombs of San Paolo

The complex of the Grotto and the Catacombs of San Paolo were used for the burial rituals of the first Christians. Tradition has it that it is the place where he stayed during his stay in Malta. in reality the place has been frequented since ancient times (IV thousand BC). The catacombs date back to the third century AD and host a large number of crypts for all 2200 m² of their extension. 

Crypt of Sant'Agata

The crypt carved into the rock on which the underground Basilica was later built, would be the place where St. Agatha prayed. During the stay of Sant'Agata, the crypt was a natural cellar, but later, in the 12th or XNUMXth century, it was enlarged. The frescoes in the Crypt of Sant'Agata are probably the best in Malta. Some of them date back to the XNUMXth century and are in the Byzantine style. The others, in Greek style, date back to the XNUMXth century. The paintings depict the faces of bishops, saints and martyrs, including that of Sant'Agata.

The crypt of Sant'Agata leads to the catacombs, which are narrow passages carved into the rock with tombs on both sides and small square or circular rooms.

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