Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

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Religious & SpiritualValletta
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationWinterEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageThis is one of Malta's most historically
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EUR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta

The Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck, celebrated on 10 February in Valletta, marks the biblical event described in the Acts of the Apostles in which St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta, an episode central to the island's Christian identity. The feast includes a solemn procession carrying a relic of the saint and a statue through the capital's streets, alongside Baroque church decoration and fireworks.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, St Paul was shipwrecked on Malta while being taken as a prisoner to Rome, an event Maltese tradition credits with bringing Christianity to the islands and which forms one of the foundational stories of the nation's Catholic identity.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

This is one of Malta's most historically significant religious feasts, since St Paul's shipwreck is credited in Maltese tradition with bringing Christianity to the islands, making the feast a marker of national as well as local religious identity rather than only a parish celebration

02

The mystery stays covered

The Church of St Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta holds a relic believed to be part of the pillar on which St Paul was beheaded and a wrist bone relic, giving the feast a devotional weight beyond the usual pattern of Maltese village festas

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The feast commemorates the New Testament account of St Paul's shipwreck on Malta around AD 60

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a story foundational to Maltese Catholic identity

The sacred route

Living ritual

marked with a relic procession

The local code

Living ritual

church decoration and fireworks in a format shared with Malta's summer festas but distinguished by its winter timing and national religious significance

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Modest dress is expected for church visits, covered shoulders and knees; a warm coat is necessary given Malta's cool, sometimes rainy February weather.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.90 N, 14.51 EOpen in Google Maps

Valletta, Valletta, Malta

Nearest airportMLA — Malta
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Valletta via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Valletta, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearModest dress is expected for church visits, covered shoulders and knees; a warm coat is necessary given Malta's cool, sometimes rainy February weather.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Malta and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck?

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck is listed for February · Winter. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck take place?

The festival is listed in Valletta, Malta. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Winter is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Valletta, Valletta, Malta

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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