The Roman villa that welcomed Paul

Lying low on a flat plateau overlooking the Burmarrad plain is a Roman villa dating back to the third century before Christ that used to look out on a Roman port. Tradition has it that St Paul was welcomed by the island’s Roman governor Publius in this same area, after the ship he was on ran aground in 60 AD.

**The remains of the Roman Villa [Credit: Times of Malta]**

San Pawl Milqi took its name from a 1616 church that replaced an earlier 15th century one, also dedicated to St Paul.

Although archaeological and historical facts have not yet confirmed these popular beliefs, this important site sheds light on Malta’s economy during the Punic-Hellenistic and the Roman Republican periods.

**San Pawl Milqi [Credit: Times of Malta]**

This house is one of a series of villas across the island dating back to between 218BC and 500 AD, however, the area holds the largest remains discovered to date. Only a small area of the site has been excavated.

The uncovered rooms have been identified as the residential area of the house, which appears to have been built on two floors, adorned with fine wall paintings.

**Under Milqi [Credit: Times of Malta]**

Three vertical presses, olive pippers and numerous settling vats dotting the area suggest the villa probably produced oil.

Sometime later, around the third century AD, a thick defensive wall was built around the site.

**Olive press at San Pawl Milqi [Credit: Times of Malta]**

The public has the opportunity to visit the site during the sixth cultural visit organised by the Council for Culture and the Arts, which will be held on Sunday.

The tour includes a visit to the Manikata area which is dotted with Punic tombs, and a bees breeding place dating back hundreds of years.

**Beach Post at Manikata [Credit: Times of Malta]**

Booking for the guided tour will close on Wednesday at noon. The booking office at 230, Republic Street, Valletta is open from Monday to Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.

For more information, those interested can call on 2123 2515 or 2124 5168, send an e-mail on noel.damato@maltaculture.com, or log on to www.maltaculture.com

Author: Sarah Carabott | Source: The Times of Malta [March 19, 2012]