Malta is riddled with a number of small hypogea scattered widely in the countryside. The urban sprawl and construction development is slowly uncovering these hidden treasures. Ta' Bistra catacombs on the outskirts of Mosta in Malta is by far the largest set of tombs and catacombs accessible beyond the confines of the ancient city of the Island.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area ATa’ Bistra Catacombs
The complex of catacombs known as Ta’ Bistra is considered among the most important set of Paleochristian burial complexes outside the area of Rabat.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
Its original location at Tat-Targa seems, in fact, to have been close to the main access route down the Great Fault, thus in line with Roman customs of placing the cemeteries along the main roads outside the residential areas.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
After it was abandoned, the site seems to have remained partially exposed.
Excavation and Conversation
Extensive quarrying has eaten up most of the hypogea and several tombs have ended up in private properties. Although originally discovered in 1891, proper excavation was conducted in 1933 when they were believed to have been destroyed due to road works. However, these were rediscovered in 2004 and today 57 tombs laid out in 16 chambers are open to the general public.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The site was documented for the first time by a drawn plan and a number of photographs taken by E. Magri in 1886 and F. Vassalli, who visited the site on the 14th of May, 1891.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The site was mentioned again by E. Becker in 1913, who also used one of Magri’s original photos.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The site was archaeologically investigated for the first time by Capt. C. Zammit in 1933 as part of the documentation process of four sets of burials that were meant to be destroyed by a new road leading to Burmarrad.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
These excavations brought to light sixteen groups of burials for a total of fifty seven tombs.
2013 excavations of Ta' Bistra catacombs Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
Ta’ Bistra came back into the spotlight in 2004, when archaeological monitoring on road works on one of the roads re-discovered the four groups that were supposedly ‘destroyed’ in 1933.
2013 excavations of Ta' Bistra catacombs QuarryTa’ Bistra Catacombs
This discovery brought the site back into the orbit of proper archaeological research.
3D Model of Ta' BistraTa’ Bistra Catacombs
Extensive archaeological excavations between 2013 and 2014 brought about new discoveries and hence, new interpretations.
2013 excavations of Ta' Bistra catacombs FindTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The archaeological remains uncovered within the tombs amounted to a few bones and three lamps and a couple of tombs that had remained undetected by Zammit’s excavations.
Ta' Bistra catacombs - Area CTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The site was part of three EU-funded projects. These projects were The Cultexchange project, The Archaeotur project and the ‘Rehabilitation of Roman Baths and Christian Catacombs’ (REBACA) Project.
Interpretation InterpretationTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The Cultexchange project (co-financed by the EU ERDF) saw the main alteration and structural works on the farmhouse above section of the catacombs turning it into a small visitor orientation centre.
Interpretation CentreTa’ Bistra Catacombs
The EU ERDF funded Archaeotur project: Integrated management and promotion of archaeological sites in Ragusa and Malta saw the finishing works on parts of the catacombs including the farmhouse and visitor facilities.
Tap to explore
The EU financed REBACA Project (part-funded by the EAFRD) was designed by Heritage Malta to study and regenerate two archaeological sites: the Għajn Tuffieħa Roman Baths and parts of the Ta’ Bistra Catacombs.
The REBACA ProjectTa’ Bistra Catacombs
This project yielded a number of studies, conservation and construction of a protective shelter on most of the site.
