Description of the attraction
The city of Rabat is often called a suburb of the ancient Medina. Nowadays, it is here that the bus station is located, where transport arrives from Valletta, bringing tourists who want to visit the Medina.
But Rabat also has a number of interesting sights that are definitely worth seeing. These include the large church of St. Paul, built over the grotto, where, according to legend, in 60 AD. NS. the apostle Paul lived for three months. The grotto was in a deep moat that surrounded the city, outside the old walled city.
The first mention of the church of St. Paul dates back to 1372. Then it was called the temple of St. Paul "outside the walls." A cemetery was arranged on the left side of the church. The modern church building was built in 1575. A few decades later, at the direction of Grand Master Alof de Vignacourt, she received the status of a collegiate church of the Order of Malta. At the same time, a number of other buildings belonging to the Church appeared near this temple.
The Church of St. Paul in Rabat has always enjoyed the support and patronage of the Order of Malta. Thanks to the generous donations of the knights, he keeps real treasures under his vaults - the most valuable works of art.
St. Paul's Cave is open to the public. Above the altar in the Grotto there is a marble image of the apostle, created by the sculptors Melchiorre Gafa and Ercole Ferrata. There is a silver boat under the ceiling. It was made in the 20th century especially for the memorable date - the 1900th anniversary of the arrival of St. Paul on the island of Malta. You can get to the grotto through the Vinyakura Museum.
