Malta: Biblical Castaways To Modern Tourists

View of Valletta, Malta from across the water with a cloud-filled sky for background — Malta’s capital city of Valletta [Image by Marcin Czerniawski from Pixabay]

Now Malta’s a tourist destination, but it wasn’t when the Apostle Paul ended up shipwrecked there. His destination was Rome, but he washed up on the shores of that island. Today, Malta’s tourist industry thrives with visitors intentionally headed to the location. Malta past and present are totally different, but its past, particularly Paul’s time there, helped shape its future as seen today.

Where’s Malta?

The island of Malta sits in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea 62 miles south of Sicily and 187 miles north of the African coast. It belongs to a group of islands in an archipelago comprising the nation of Malta. Five islands in total make up the country, with Malta being the largest. Two smaller islands, Gozo and Comino, lie to its northwest. Two uninhabited islets, Kemmunett (Comminotto) and Filfla, round out the nation.

Because of Malta’s location in the central Mediterranean Sea, it occupies a strategic position. Accordingly, the island has held great importance as a naval station and played a the role of a significant maritime hub throughout history. For example, Malta served as a vital base for the Allies during World War II.

Map of Mediterranean area showing north Africa, Italy and Malta between the two — Although changes have occurred over time, Malta past and present has been a strategic location [Image by Markus Spiske from Pixabay]

Island Information

Although the largest island in the nation, Malta is small in size. The rocky piece of land’s length measures 17.5 miles with a width of 9.25 miles and total area of 95 square miles. As an island nation, Malta includes lots of coastline indented with numerous bays providing good harbors. A small population inhabits the Republic of Malta, numbering 542,051 per the 2021 census.

A typically Mediterranean climate prevails in Malta. This designation means the Maltese experience hot and dry summers, warm and sometimes wet falls, and winters which are short with sufficient rainfall.

Malta Past – Biblical Castaways

Familiarity with Malta for believers comes from its mention in Acts 28:1 of where Paul ended up due to a shipwreck. A Roman prisoner, Paul was being transported to Rome when a violent storm interrupted the ship’s journey. The ship ran aground in a bay, now known as St. Paul’s Bay, on the east side of Malta. Paul, along with 275 other passengers made it safely to shore where locals welcomed the castaways with unusual kindness.

The chief official of the island governor, Publius, also entertained the new arrivals at his home with generous hospitality. At the time of Paul’s shipwreck, pinpointed as occurring in 60 BCE, Rome claimed Malta as a part its empire. However, the location was more of an outpost with the island mostly uninhabited then.

View out over the water of St. Paul's Bay with a sand, rocky shoreline — The Bay of St. Paul’s in Malta present with tourists on the beach [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Malta’s Transition From Past To Present

In ancient times, the Roman Empire controlled Malta. However, in more recent history, the British Empire stepped into power. Malta officially became a part of the British Empire as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1814. The British used the island as fleet headquarters and a shipping way-station. Some 150 later, Malta achieved independence from Britain in September 1964. It later gained admission to the European Union in 2004.

The island’s long association with Britain specifically and southern Europe in general is apparent from its language and atmosphere. English, along with Maltese, is an officially designated language, and a European atmosphere prevails in the island nation.

Malta’s Present – Tourist Destination

Paul’s presence on Malta was unintended, the result of a shipwreck. The British Empire used Malta as a means to an end (shipping goals, military strategy) rather than an end itself. Currently, however, Malta provides a popular destination in and of itself. Over 1.6 million tourists visit the island annually, a figure equal to three times the residential population. No longer is the island basically uninhabited as when Paul washed ashore. Instead, Malta boasts one of the highest population densities in the world.

The presence of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Malta draws many tourists. These include the capital city of Valletta, seven megalithic temples, and the astounding Ħal-Saflieni Hypogeum. The Hypogeum, recently rediscovered in 1902, is a 5,000 year old subterranean necropolis. This underground site contains halls, chambers, and passages cut into rock, over three levels.

Central Chamber of ancient underground cavity which is carved into rock — The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in present Malta [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Influence of Paul on Present Malta

Following his shipwreck, Paul spent three months on Malta before another ship could take them on to Rome. During this sojourn, Paul utilized the opportunity to spread the gospel to the island’s inhabitants, and they witnessed miracles he performed. For example, he healed the sick father of Publius, the head official on the island, as well as curing others on the island who were ill.

Today, numerous churches and religious festivals, as well as the the deep faith of the Maltese, evidence the island’s Christian history from Paul’s time there. Various sites, such as the Church of St. Paul’s Shipwreck in Valletta, and island traditions commemorate the apostle’s shipwreck and subsequent ministry. Roman Catholicism, the official religion of the country, greatly influences Maltese culture.

Picture of wall sign on old building with arrow directing to St. Paul's Shipwreck Church — Sites in Malta present commemorate Paul’s visit to Malta past [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Malta Past and Present

Malta past and present are inextricably connected. The island country existing today owes its deep Christian faith to the ministry of the Apostle Paul following his shipwreck there. While it wasn’t Paul’s intention to end up in Malta, God had other plans for him, plans that have affected the course of Malta’s history. The island now serves as a choice tourist destination for millions, offering a chance to learn about Paul’s God through both historical and religious sites as well as from Malta’s inhabitants of faith