Bringing Europe’s underground heritage to life at St Paul’s Catacombs
Throughout 2026, St Paul’s Catacombs, Malta’s first European Heritage Label Site, has continued to engage visitors through a diverse programme of public activities exploring archaeology, history, and Europe’s shared cultural heritage. From immersive evening experiences to lectures and curator-led discussions, the site is creating new opportunities for audiences to connect with its unique European significance.
Experiencing the Catacombs After Dark
As part of its public engagement programme, St Paul’s Catacombs hosted Lejlet il-Waħx, an immersive night-time event that invited visitors to experience the site from an entirely new perspective.
Inspired by the ancient Roman Lemuria festival, the evening began with a historical re-enactment exploring Roman beliefs surrounding restless spirits and funerary rituals. Visitors then discovered Malta’s darker folklore through storytelling sessions, before joining a curator-led tour that provided access to areas of the catacombs not normally open to the public.
The experience concluded with a communal gathering featuring Roman ghost stories and refreshments, while a limited number of participants extended their visit with an overnight stay near the site, followed by breakfast the following morning. Designed for visitors interested in archaeology, history, and immersive cultural experiences, the event offered a distinctive interpretation of Malta’s funerary heritage.
Exploring the European Dimension of St Paul’s Catacombs
Building on this momentum, St Paul’s Catacombs continued to promote its European Heritage Label through a series of educational and public engagement activities.
On 8 May 2026, a public lecture entitled The Maltese Hypogea in the European Context examined how Malta’s underground burial sites compare with similar funerary landscapes across Europe and the Mediterranean. The lecture highlighted both the unique characteristics of St Paul’s Catacombs and the cultural exchanges that shaped its development, reinforcing its importance within Europe’s shared heritage.
During the European Archaeology Days on 14 June, the site’s Curatorial Section led guided tours in both Maltese and English, welcoming visitors of all ages to discover the archaeological significance of the catacombs and their role within the wider European Heritage Label network.
The programme concluded on 21 June with Ask the Curator, an informal session that encouraged direct conversations between visitors and the site’s curatorial team. Participants had the opportunity to discuss archaeological discoveries, conservation, interpretation, and the meaning of the European Heritage Label, transforming the designation into an accessible topic for public dialogue.
Together, these activities have strengthened public awareness of St Paul’s Catacombs as Malta’s first European Heritage Label Site. By combining immersive experiences, academic interpretation, guided exploration, and open discussion, the programme continues to connect diverse audiences with the site’s archaeological significance and its place within Europe’s shared cultural heritage.