Mysterium Fidei Monastery & Secret Garden in Valletta
Description
Only recently opened to the public, Mysterium Fidei is ‘hidden’ away on a quiet corner on St Christopher Street and Strait Street. Visitors often stumble upon our door whilst exploring Valletta. Often, simply curious to see what lies behind the walls, visitors are then immersed into the fascinating history of the cloistered nuns who still live here today. Whilst appreciating the architecture and experiencing the quiet serenity of the cloisters, visitors can get a glimpse into the life within the Monastery, in its totally authentic setting. Cloistered nuns lived a life closed off from the outside world so they had to be self sufficient. Even until today the chickens lay eggs and fruit and vegetables are grown in the garden. Our resident monastery cats, often welcome visitors personally and happily walk around listening to the audio tour before finding a sunny spot in the garden providing a popular photo opportunity.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Mysterium Fidei is a multi sensory experience located within St Catherine’s Monastery, in the heart of Valletta. The door to the Secret Garden has been closed to the public for over 400 years, it is now open for you to enter this tranquil space and take a glimpse into the lives of the cloistered nuns. When joining the monastery, the nuns took vows never to leave. They lived a self-sustainable life closed away from the outside world. You can see the original, authentic kitchens, bedrooms, washrooms and even visit the crypt, their final resting place. The enclosed garden is a rarity in Valletta, here you can escape the hustle and bustle of the busy Valletta streets and experience the peace and serenity of this hidden oasis. Mysterium Fidei is a unique, must see, experience. It gives visitors the opportunity to learn the history, appreciate the architecture, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and contemplate the lives of the women who chose the life of the cloistered nun.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(283)
It was truly beautiful and felt like a place that transported you back in time. A wonderful stop during a day exploring Valletta.
Thank you for your visit!
A lovely peaceful experience! Staff so polite and helpful! Not very busy at all, it’s like you go back in time! Highly recommended!
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the place !
A truly wonderful hidden gem in Valletta. The garden is stunning, peaceful and filled with beautiful fragrances that I’ll never forget. I also met the lovely resident cat 😻🐈 and had a nice chat with a very friendly gentleman who works there. A memorable experience and a place I would happily visit again Highly recommend
Thank you for visiting and for your kind review!
With great effort, life in the monastery has been recreated here. A must-see, beautiful garden and insight into life in earlier times.
Thank you for your visit and kind review!
This is a place to absolutely visit in Valletta. Move through the rooms and discover the lives of nuns from yesterday and today. The visit is done via audio guide through the phone. The explanations are very clear and correspond to the rooms to be visited. The highlight is the garden in the center of the monastery.
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the place !
Very cool look back in time. I also came out feeling very zen
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the place !
Absolutely recommended to visit these two locations. The serene tranquility of the monastery. But also quite a horrible idea, that girls have been dragged here... not wanting to. But that some of these women have found their safety and purpose here. And then the grandeur of the church...sincerely wow... Both locations have both horror and very beautiful good deeds in their history.
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the place !
A hidden gem. Wonderfully set out with simple explanations providing a great insight into how the nuns lived all those years ago
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the place !
Beautiful and peaceful place. I really enjoyed a lot. God bless all the nuns
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the monastery and the tour !
A peaceful spot outside the usual tourist circuits. The garden is delightful, and the history is interesting.
Thank you for your kind words, we are glad that you enjoyed the monastery and the tour !
