ST. PAUL-LE-NAUFRAGE CHURCH

Saint Paul is considered the spiritual father of the Maltese people, which is why this collegiate church is one of the most important in Malta. It was designed by Cassar in the 16th century and is one of the oldest in the city. It was modified by the architect Lorenzo Gafà in 1629, who added a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. Of particular note is the gilded wooden statue of Saint Paul, which was made by Melchiorre Gafà, the brother of the architect Lorenzo. It is in fact this statue that is walked around the city on February 10th, the feast of Saint Paul. St. Paul is the patron saint of the city. In the year 60, he was shipwrecked in Malta where he stayed for three months. He succeeded in converting Governor Publius, making Malta one of the first Christian lands of the Roman Empire. The interior houses other beautiful artistic works such as the magnificent main altarpiece by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio or the altar painted by Antoine de Favray. The ceiling frescoes, which depict the saint's stay in Malta, are by Attilio Palombi. You will also appreciate the paintings of Giuseppe Cali, a Maltese painter born in the mid-19th century. You can admire the sacred objects in gold or silver, the most remarkable piece of which is an 18th century silver throne, sometimes placed next to the altar. Finally, the church houses two precious relics, the bone of Saint Paul's left wrist and a piece of the column on which he was beheaded.