Il-Kapella ta' San Pawl Eremita

Chapel of St. Paul the Hermit

Useful Information

Location:	Wied Il-Ghasel, Il-Mosta, Malta. The trail begins where Vjal Ragusa and Vjal il-Qalbiena Mostin meet (35.915695, 14.427164). The first 200 m are downhill into the valley, then follow the valley for 500 m, turn left across the river and uphill to the cave church 100 m. About 15 m hike one way. (35.9210297, 14.4288908)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Chapel of St. Paul the Hermit, Wied Il-Ghasel, Il-Mosta, Malta, Tel: +356-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1575	visited by inquisitor Pietro Dusina during his apostolic visit to Malta.
1647	mentioned in the first history book of Malta written by Giovanni Francesco Abela.
1656	Ġan Pawl Mangion, a local from Mosta, brings a painting of the Virgin Mary and places it in the cave.
1676	Don Ortensio Bennini celebrates mass and preaches in the chapel on its feast day.
1920	Archbishop Mauro Caruana appoints Rev. Karm Gauci to care for the chapel.
1988	painting depicting St Paul the Hermit and St Anthony of Egypt stolen.

Description

Il-Kapella ta' San Pawl Eremita (Chapel of St. Paul the Hermit) is a cave church, the chapel was built into a huge shelter. It is located in a bend of the Wied il-Ghasel (Valley of Honey). Ther chapel is only half as high as the ceiling of the huge cavern, and so it is one of the cave churches which have a roof. Only the left wall is replaced by the cave wall, all other parts of the chapel were built regularly. The chapel is still a consecrated church and is used as a church on special event. Normally it is closed and it’s not possible to enter. Nevertheless, the short hike is well worth the effort, for one of the most beautiful valley on Malta, and the spectacular cave portal.

The chapel has an altar and a painting depicting St Paul the Hermit and St Anthony of Egypt. This is a copy, as the original was stolen in 1988. It was found some time later and is now in the Parish church of Mosta. The main cave chamber has a small side branch, which is accessible from the chapel. There is an altar with a painting depicting the Virgin Mary.