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Mysterium Fidei Monastery & Secret Garden in Valletta
4.8
17 Ratings
Valletta
Discover Valletta's hidden gem, Mysterium Fidei Monastery. Explore its serene cloisters, historic architecture, and secret garden. Meet Mimi, the friendly monastery cat.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Mysterium Fidei By Hidden Valletta - 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.
What's Included
- Free audio tour
Additional Information
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 of the Monastery, visitors are then immersed into the fascinating history whilst appreciating the architecture and experiencing the quiet serenity of the cloisters. Visitors can see how the nuns lived, in a 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. Built with self sustainability in mind there are seven wells dotted around the monastery. Rainwater is collected from the roofs. Mimi the monastery cat, often welcomes visitors personally and happily walks around listening to the audio tour before finding a sunny spot in the garden providing a popular photo opportunity.
Location
Mysterium Fidei By Hidden Valletta
St. Christophers Street
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(17 Ratings)
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Amandajeans2015
Jun 8, 2024
Peaceful and tranquil, great audio guide around rooms and beautiful gardens. - This was extraordinary and a real privilege to be able to visit a sacred location that had been closed for 400 years up until recently.
Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K3105ytmariag
May 31, 2024
Definitely worth a visit - Absolutely gorgeous, peaceful sanctuary. Very interesting museum displays and information. Mostly my daughter and I enjoyed the garden, cloisters and animals. We spent nearly 3 hours reading, enjoying the atmosphere and cuddling Minnie the cat. For a 12 year old it’s the most peaceful she’s been all week!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikehu5406mt
May 25, 2024
Very worth a visit - This really was worth visiting. A hidden gem, as others have said. An audio tour is available, but the signage works well, and management are on hand to talk to. It shows the hard / simple life nuns lived over the centuries, never to leave the walls of the convent in life and in death. A troubling story too, as many women were taken their against their will to live the life of a nun, never to leave. Fascinating to see, it also has one of the few courtyard gardens in Valletta. There are now just 3 nuns left in the 70s to 90s.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anitamz4496ne
May 24, 2024
Just amazing. Best memories. - One of our favorite memories from whole trip to Malta.
Man who worked there was incredebly nice and welcoming.
It was our last day visiting Malta,Valetta and unplaned decided to go there and so glad we did.
The place it self is beautiful.
Cat living there was really friendly and came along as we walked around.
We saw views, that not all is able to see.
Maybe we got lucky, but he have us coffee and cokies made by nuns. We even got some to take home. He let us to the top of the roof to take some photos. So tankfull for the expieriance and beautiful memories. Loved it all. 🤍 thanks a lot. 🤍🤍🤍 wish all the best in future. 🤍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V607es_
May 22, 2024
Mysterium Fidei ! The best ! - The whole experience was maybe the best one from our trip ! Our whole time in the monastery we felt in peace and relaxed. The receptionist was one of the best people I have met in my whole life, she was amazing, explained to us a few history facts about the monastery, and she also gave us advice and recommendations for the rest of our time in Malta. I believe that although it may not occur as a must visit for everyone, it is one of the best experiences we had in Malta. We are grateful for everything
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zhannak705
May 19, 2024
I recommend it to everyone, you won’t regret it! - Mila, a worker at the monastery, gave us a wonderful tour, spontaneously and unexpectedly for us! Not everyone can talk like Mila, for which we are very grateful to her! It was very interesting and informative, not only from the information point of view. This is a “lesson” for the soul! Thank you very much 🙏
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Clare_s
May 18, 2024
Tranquil place - Absolutely beautiful place to spend an hour. Very interesting to read how the nuns lived. Lovely cat as well!
Review provided by Viator
Q565yxjosephs
May 18, 2024
Closed to the outside world for 400 year's only recently opened to the public. If you get a chance vist. - A truly special experience as it was closed to the public for 400 years. The Garden is beautiful. The Burial Chamber is quite overwhelming. It's still an active Convent. The nun's stay upstairs away from the public.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
465beckyc
May 13, 2024
A must-see hidden gem - We accidentally found this place and you won't be disappointed! This is incredibly moving, peaceful, and absolutely beautiful 😍 A hidden gem and the history here is incredible. So happy we found you, blown away by the peace and tranquillity of these gardens. I will never forget this in my life, a step back in time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
907vickyt
May 30, 2024
Beautiful garden - A very restful place with a beautiful courtyard garden and interesting history of the nuns’ way of life. A respectable €8 per person entry was worth the hour or so we spent there. A cool, shady place to escape the sun if nothing else.
Review provided by Tripadvisor