This church, one of the oldest in Valletta, commemorates the shipwreck of St Paul on Malta in around 60 AD. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul was being transported to Rome as a prisoner when his ship was driven onto the Maltese coast in a storm. The church was founded in 1572 and rebuilt in its current Baroque form in the 18th century. It sits on St Paul's Street — Triq San Pawl — which runs parallel to Republic Street through the upper half of the city's grid.
The interior is richly decorated with paintings depicting scenes from Paul's life and the shipwreck. The most venerated relic, a fragment of the column of Paul's martyrdom, is displayed in a silver reliquary. The church is a working parish and services are held regularly, so call ahead or visit outside service times if you want to explore the interior in peace.