St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina
Mdina, Malta
Duration
1 hour (cathedral and museum)
Entry
Check the official website for current ticket prices (cathedral and museum combined)
Hours
Mon–Sat, closed Sundays for worship — check the official website for current times
Cruise
Day Trip ✓
The Baroque mother church of Mdina, built on the site where St Paul is said to have met the Roman governor Publius after his shipwreck in AD 60.
Local Tip
The cathedral and its museum share a combined ticket — allow time for both, and look up at the ceiling fresco, which is a clever flat painting that appears domed.
St Paul's Cathedral (Il-Metropolitana) is the seat of the Archbishop of Malta and the spiritual heart of Mdina. The present Baroque building was completed in 1702 to designs by Lorenzo Gafà after the earlier Norman cathedral was destroyed in the 1693 Sicily earthquake. It stands on the site traditionally identified as the place where St Paul, shipwrecked on Malta in AD 60, met the Roman governor Publius and later ordained him as Malta's first bishop.
The interior is a single-nave masterpiece of Maltese Baroque, with inlaid marble floor tombs, a painted apse, and a flat wooden ceiling frescoed to appear as a dome — one of the most remarkable optical illusions in any European cathedral. The adjoining Cathedral Museum, housed in former seminary buildings, displays a notable collection of Dürer woodcuts, silverware, vestments, and the cathedral's treasury.
⭐ Highlights
- ✓Baroque cathedral designed by Lorenzo Gafà, completed 1702
- ✓Built on the site of St Paul's meeting with the Roman governor Publius
- ✓Flat ceiling painted to appear as a dome — a famous optical illusion
- ✓Inlaid marble floor tombs of Mdina nobility
- ✓Adjoining Cathedral Museum with Dürer woodcuts and cathedral treasury
How to Get There
St Paul's Cathedral sits on St Paul's Square at the heart of Mdina. Mdina is a short bus ride from Valletta (routes 51, 52, 53) or a 20-minute walk from Rabat. The main gate is the only vehicle entrance; the cathedral is a 5-minute walk inside.
Open in Google MapsBest Time to Visit
Visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds. The cathedral is closed to tourists on Sundays for worship. In summer, the thick walls keep the interior cool.
Visitor Tips
- 💡Combined ticket covers the cathedral and the Cathedral Museum across the square
- 💡Modest dress is required — shoulders and knees should be covered
- 💡Photography is permitted without flash inside the cathedral
- 💡The ceiling is flat, not domed — look carefully to see the trompe l'œil
📍 Nearby Attractions
- Mdina Cathedral Museum
- Mdina Old City
- Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum
- Museum of Natural History
- St. Paul's Catacombs
St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina — Frequently Asked Questions
Is entry to St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina free?
Entry to St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina costs Check the official website for current ticket prices (cathedral and museum combined).
How long should I spend at St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina?
We recommend spending around 1 hour (cathedral and museum) at St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina to see the highlights.
What are the opening hours of St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina?
St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina is open: Mon–Sat, closed Sundays for worship — check the official website for current times.
Where is St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina in Malta?
St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina is located in Mdina, Malta.
Is St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina suitable for cruise day visitors?
Yes, St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina is cruise-friendly and easily accessible from Valletta's cruise terminal during a day visit to Malta.
What's the best tip for visiting St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina?
The cathedral and its museum share a combined ticket — allow time for both, and look up at the ceiling fresco, which is a clever flat painting that appears domed.
