Xemxija Hill Heritage Walk: A Historical Route in St Paul’s Bay, Malta

Visitor Information

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Country: Malta

Civilization: Phoenician, Roman

Remains: Infrastructure

History

The Start of Xemxija Hill Heritage Walk is located in St Paul’s Bay, Malta, and marks the beginning of an ancient Roman road. This road, known as the Pilgrims Way, was built by the Romans approximately 2,000 years ago. It served as a route for pilgrims traveling to the Sanctuary of Our Lady in Mellieha, as well as a path for transporting farm produce and salt.

Human activity in the area dates back to the Neolithic period, with evidence of continuous occupation through the Punic and Roman eras. During the Punic period, around 500 BC, the site was used for burial purposes, including rock-cut tombs. The Romans later adapted these burial sites.

In the Roman period, the road and surrounding features were actively used for both religious pilgrimage and economic activities. The Roman baths carved into the cliff face were developed from earlier Punic burial caves. These baths were later converted into a farmhouse in the 17th century, marked by the addition of an arched doorway.

The caves along the trail have seen varied uses over time. During World War II, some caves provided shelter.

Remains

The site features a rough stone Roman road that has survived for two millennia. It begins behind the Porto Azzurro Apart Hotel and diverges from a modern tarmac road. This road was constructed using large stones and served as a route for pilgrims and local trade.

Near the trail is a (disputed) Roman apiary. It consists of terracotta beehives and earthenware honey pots arranged behind a symmetrical facade.

The Punic shaft tomb, carved into rock and dating to around 500 BC, is unique in the area. It likely served Phoenician and Carthaginian communities for burial purposes and remains an important archaeological feature.

A Roman grain silo near the caves was later converted into a well. This structure is located close to Neolithic tombs, indicating the long-term use of the area for storage and water collection.

The Roman baths are carved into the cliff face and include a large entrance, window, and a spacious alcove. Inside, rock columns and rubble walls separate cold, tepid, and hot rooms, which were supplied by natural springs. The baths originated as Punic burial caves before Roman adaptation and were converted into a farmhouse in the 17th century, marked by the addition of an arched doorway.

The trail ends near well-defined cart ruts carved into limestone.