Unraveling the Haunting Secrets of Zejtun's St. Gregory's Church
- Terrence Mifsud
- July 25, 2023
- 5:22 pm
- No Comments
Interestingly, according to local legend, some citizens were attempting to avoid a Turkish invasion when they became trapped inside the aforementioned underground passageway. It can be assumed that the individuals stuck in this passageway perished one by one, and unable to flee.
In 1969, a startling discovery was made inside the walls of St. Gregory’s Church in Zejtun. While working on the church dome, a young man named Grezzju noticed a crack between some slabs. Curiosity got the better of him, and he threw some rocks into the crack, revealing a hidden chamber underneath the roof. After calling for help, they found a substantial number of human skeletons in the secret passageway.
Interestingly, according to local legend, some citizens were attempting to avoid a Turkish invasion when they became trapped inside the aforementioned underground passageway. It can be assumed that the individuals stuck in this passageway perished one by one, and unable to flee.
The old Zejtun church was erected in 1436, dedicated to St. Catherine, albeit it became known as St. Gregory’s due to an annual procession held after Easter. The church, which boasts one of the oldest cupolas on the island, was formerly utilised as a lookout to keep an eye on the harbours below, which were prone to Barbary pirate landings.
In 1978, study revealed that the bones had been transferred there from a cemetery, adding to the mystery surrounding the secret tunnel and the bones. Surprisingly, all of the fatalities appeared to have occurred at the same moment, raising questions regarding the reasons and intents of the victims. According to certain local stories, the victims were buried alive after their bones were discovered during the Ottoman siege of Zejtun in 1614.
However, more investigation revealed a remarkable collection of antiquities buried among the bones, including a high-heeled wooden shoe, a Byzantine cross, and pottery fragments. The significant of these objects is uncertain. The relics are in bad shape and are now kept in a plain box within the church.
Attempts to solve the enigma include carbon dating on the bones and a more detailed analysis of the objects. While a 1978 research concluded that the bones were most likely transported, the rationale for their placement in the secret tunnel, as well as the strange collection of accompanying artefacts, continue to spark scholarly and historical curiosity. It’s unknown whether this age-old enigma will ever be fully addressed, leaving St. Gregory’s subterranean passageways shrouded in mystery and controversy.
