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Mdina · Malta

St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina

Known locally as Katidral ta’ San Pawl

A cathedral, architecture site in Mdina that helps explain the ecclesiastical history of Mdina and Maltese Baroque architecture.

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St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina Kritzolina · CC BY-SA 4.0
Typical visit
1 hour
Setting
Indoor
Region
Mdina and Rabat
Last checked
9 Aug 2026

Why visit

St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina provides a focused way to understand the ecclesiastical history of Mdina and Maltese Baroque architecture. The cathedral’s dome, façade and richly furnished interior anchor the city’s main square, while its artworks and monuments reflect the long-standing role of Mdina as a religious centre. Its value lies in the combination of surviving fabric, setting and interpretation, which places the site within the wider history of Malta and the central Mediterranean. Allowing time to examine the details rather than treating it as a brief photo stop gives context that is difficult to gain from the exterior or landscape alone.

What you will see

  • Baroque façade and dome.
  • painted and gilded interior.
  • cathedral monuments and chapels.

History

The present cathedral was constructed between 1696 and 1705 after the medieval predecessor was severely damaged by the 1693 Sicily earthquake. It was designed by the Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà and dedicated to St Paul.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Pairing St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina with nearby places in the same region can reduce backtracking, but current access and transport arrangements should be checked on the day.

About Mdina and Rabat

Malta’s old inland capital and neighbouring Rabat bring together medieval streets, cathedral architecture, Roman remains and extensive early Christian burial sites.

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More to see around Mdina

All of Mdina
Mdina Gate Mdina · Malta A gate, architecture site in Mdina that helps explain the ceremonial entrance and Baroque remodelling of Malta’s old fortified capital. Palazzo Falson Mdina · Malta A historic-house, decorative-arts site in Mdina that helps explain the scale and atmosphere of a historic Mdina residence rather than a state building. St Paul's Catacombs Rabat · Malta A archaeology, early-christian site in Rabat that helps explain late Roman burial practice and the growth of early Christian communities on Malta. Domvs Romana Rabat · Malta A archaeology, roman-history site in Rabat that helps explain the domestic culture of Roman Malta through an excavated townhouse and its mosaics.

Already worked out

Ready-made trips through Mdina

All ready-made trips
Mdina, Rabat and Central Malta 2 days · 7 stops · Moderate pace Mdina, Rabat and Central Malta links complementary places at a pace that leaves time for interpretation, short walks and changes of base. Current site access, sea conditions and transport arrangements should be checked before each travel day.