Tal-Mintna Catacombs

Ta’ Mintna Catacombs

Useful Information

Location:	Ta' Mintna Catacombs, Pjazza ta-Gublew tad-Djamanti, Mqabba, Malta. (35.841903, 14.465567)
Open:	By appointment only. Closed 01-JAN, Good Friday, 24-DEC, 25-DEC, 31-DEC. [2021]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5, Children (12-17) EUR 3.50, Children (6-11) EUR 2.50, Children (0-5) free, Seniors (60+) EUR 3.50. [2021]
Classification:	Catacomb
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Dr. A. A. Caruana (1888): Report on the Phoenician and Roman Antiquities in the group of islands of Malta
Address:	Tal-Mintna Catacombs, Pjazza ta-Gublew tad-Djamanti, Mqabba, Tel: +356-212-39545, Fax: +356-212-41975. Reservation: Tel: +356-2295-4000. E-mail: Heritage Malta Head Office (Ex Royal Naval Hospital), 35, Dawret Fra Giovanni Bichi, Il-Kalkara, KKR 1280, Tel: +356, 22-954-300. E-mail:
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

1860	discovered by Dr. A. A. Caruana and Captain R. N. Strickland.
1888	description published in the book Report on the Phoenician and Roman Antiquities in the group of islands of Malta by Dr. A. A. Caruana.

Description

Tal-Mintna Catacombs are a complex of three initially unconnected hypogea. There are numerous more similar small clusters in the area. All have typically small galleries and oven shaped tombs on both sides of the passageways. The tombs are richly decorated with scallop-shell decorations carved on the conchs, and decorated pilasters flanking the entrance. There are also eight pyramidal shaped so-called lamp-holes, their actual use is unknown. Similarly enigmatic are the agape tables, also known as the "triclinium" table, in the center of each hypogeum. Some guess the mourners held a last dinner with the deceased at this table.

The three hypogea were joined together in modern history so that they could be used as well. The Tal-Mintna Catacombs were lately restored by a joint collaborative project between Heritage Malta and Din L-Art Helwa. There are no regular open hours, but it's possible to book a visit online.