St Paul’s Collegiate Basilica - Rabat, Malta - Gilded Baroque Altar and Altarpiece

An ornate side altar inside St Paul’s Collegiate Basilica in Rabat, with a large religious altarpiece surrounded by elaborate gilded Baroque decoration.

This photograph shows one of the richly decorated altars inside St Paul’s Collegiate Basilica in Rabat, Malta. A large religious painting dominates the composition, surrounded by an elaborate gilded frame of sculpted scrolls, foliage and figures, while a heraldic coat of arms crowns the ensemble. Tall candlesticks and additional paintings complete the setting, and the cream-coloured architectural surfaces with extensive gold detailing create the characteristic splendour of a Maltese Baroque church interior. The present basilica was begun in 1653 according to plans by Francesco Buonamici and completed by Maltese architect Lorenzo Gafà in 1683. Over subsequent generations its interior was enriched with paintings, sculpture, liturgical furnishings and increasingly elaborate decoration. The church forms part of one of Rabat’s most important religious complexes and stands beside St Paul’s Grotto, traditionally associated with the Apostle Paul’s stay on Malta following his shipwreck. This detailed interior view reveals another aspect of the basilica beyond its monumental exterior, highlighting the craftsmanship and devotional art preserved within the historic church.