St Paul's Island, Rocky island in St Paul's Bay, Malta
St Paul's Island is an uninhabited rocky formation in St Paul's Bay featuring steep limestone cliffs that descend straight into the Mediterranean waters near Mellieha. The island's coastline is marked by jagged rock faces and open sea on all sides.
In 60 AD, the Apostle Paul experienced a shipwreck near this island while traveling to Rome, an event that marked the beginning of Christianity in Malta. This moment connected the island permanently to a pivotal figure in early Christian history.
The statue of Saint Paul, sculpted in 1844 by Segismondo and Salvatore Dimech, stands on the northern section and draws visitors to this place of religious significance. People come here to mark their respect for the connection between this land and the apostle's legacy.
The island is accessible only by boat tours that depart regularly from Bugibba harbor to explore this coastal area. Visitors should prepare for exposure to elements, as the island offers little shelter from wind and sun.
A tower was built after 1649 by Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris and was later converted into a farmhouse by Vincenzo Borg. This transformation tells the story of how the island shifted from defense to private use over time.
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