Saint Paul's Islands

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Saint Paul's Islands
Aerial view
Aerial view
Waters Mediterranean Sea
Archipelago Maltese islands
Geographical location 35 ° 57 '55 "  N , 14 ° 24' 2"  E Coordinates: 35 ° 57 '55 "  N , 14 ° 24' 2"  E
Saint Paul's Islands (Malta)
Saint Paul's Islands
length 860 m
width 190 m
surface 10 ha
Residents uninhabited

The St. Paul's Islands ( Maltese Il-Gżejjer ta 'San Pawl , also Il-Gżejjer ta' Selmunett ) are two uninhabited island rocks in the Republic of Malta . The name in the singular St. Paul's Island is also common, as the two rocks are connected by an isthmus ( Issillat ), which at its narrowest point is less than 20 meters wide and is only flooded when the sea is rough, and the complex therefore as one Island applies. Politically, the island belongs to the municipality of Mellieħa . The rocks are located about 100 m from the coast at the western end of St. Paul's Bay and together have an area of ​​less than 0.1 km².

The island has been uninhabited since the late 1930s when the only farmer left his house and fields. He previously lived in a converted property that is considered by some to be one of the Lascaris Towers . After he moved away shortly before the start of the Second World War, the building fell into disrepair and in 2012 was only recognizable as a ruin.

According to tradition, the apostle Paul was shipwrecked at this point in 59 AD when he was a prisoner on the way to Rome. The apostle and the entire ship's crew were able to swim to the mainland by swimming. When the father of Publius, who led the Roman troops, fell seriously ill, he was cured by Paul and in thanks the general joined Christianity and, according to legend, later became the first bishop of Malta. In his honor, the 12 m high St. Paul's statue was erected on the island in 1845 .

Picture gallery

  • Saint Paul's Islands with statue

  • View of St. Paul's Islands, the statue can be seen in the center of the picture.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Stanley Farrugia Randon, Robert Farrugia Randon: Comino, Filfla and St Paul's Island. Malta 1995
  2. ↑ Edward Said: Ancient farm house collapsing. In: Times of Malta . September 17, 2012, accessed December 19, 2019 .
  3. ↑ St. Paul's Statue, St Paul's Island. In: Historic Landmarks. Dín l-Art Ħelwa , accessed December 19, 2019 .

Web links

Commons : Saint Paul's Islands  - Collection of images, videos and audio files