During the time of Roman rule in Malta, Christians created resting places for the body until the resurrection. These resting places became commonly known as catacombs.

These underground cemeteries have long corridors dug out of the rock, with graves cut out, as required, on either side of them. In Roman times people were not allowed to bury their dead inside the cities, so most of the catacombs of Malta were dug around Mdina, the then capital of the Island.

The Church of Malta continued to increase and the Christians of those times wished to remain near their dead so that they could be with them after death, to wait together with them for the resurrection. At the entrance of most catacombs there was a round love table with slanting sides where the dead body was blessed before burial.

For this reason, the catacombs were enlarged, grouped and more were dug to receive all members of the families.

St. Agatha's Catacombs

St. Paul's Catacombs

Tal-Mintna Catacombs