The Shipwreck Church.

The Collegiate Parish Church of St Paul’s Shipwreck is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Valletta, Malta. It is one of the oldest churches in Valletta and has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. The church is dedicated to St. Paul, who was shipwrecked on the island of Malta in 60 AD while on his way to Rome to face trial. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul and everyone else aboard made it to shore safely, where they were welcomed and looked after by the locals.

St. Paul remained here for three months, during which time it was claimed that he performed a number of miracles, but most importantly, he was also credited with introducing Christianity to Malta and converting the local people.

There are several myths and legends associated with St. Paul’s shipwreck. One such legend claims that when St. Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, he was bitten by a venomous snake but miraculously survived. This led the locals believing that he was a God and began worshipping him.

Another legend states that when St. Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, he struck his staff into the ground, which then grew into a tree which still stands today.

The feast of St. Paul’s shipwreck is celebrated annually in Malta on February 10th and is a public holiday across the whole country.

The Relic of St. Paul. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

In one part of the church can be found a sacred relic. This is one of the most precious treasures of the church. It constantly reminds the Maltese people of the Apostle’s preaching and protection. The relic consists of a portion of the right wristbone of the Apostle Paul.

In the centre of the small chapel on the right of the main altar is exhibited the pillar on which St. Paul was beheaded ( the other half is still kept in the church of the Tre Fontaine in Rome). This relic was donated by Pope Pius V11 in 1818 to the Collegiate Chapter in recognition of the services it rendered during the outbreak of the plague of 1813. An artistic silver head adorns the pillar.

Beheading Pillar. Photo by Gary Tacagni.

Although the Apostle Paul’s place of death is unknown for sure, it is believed that he was probably beheaded in Rome thus dying as a martyr for his faith. His death may have been part of the executions of Christians ordered by the Roman Emperor Nero in 64 CE.