Mysterium Fidei Monastery & Secret Garden in Valletta
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
What To Expect
Mysterium Fidei
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.
Options
Mysterium Fidei Monastery & Secret Garden in Valletta
What‘s Included
Free audio tour
Meeting points
Mysterium Fidei
140, St. Christopher Street Valletta Malta
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
282 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Magical and peaceful
stavroulas585,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A lovely peaceful experience! Staff so polite and helpful! Not very busy at all, it’s like you go back in time! Highly recommended!
A truly wonderful hidden gem
DayTrip03504365200,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A 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
Very interesting insight into the lives of the Novitzinnen.
thomasz364,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00With great effort, life in the monastery has been recreated here. A must-see, beautiful garden and insight into life in earlier times.
Very nice discovery
evelyne decosne,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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.
Great hidden gem
Z212EGborisv,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very cool look back in time. I also came out feeling very zen
Hidden places Malta
Amieke1979,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely 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.
Fascinating and educational
tonko1960,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A hidden gem. Wonderfully set out with simple explanations providing a great insight into how the nuns lived all those years ago
God bless the nuns
Saulo de Tarso C,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful and peaceful place. I really enjoyed a lot. God bless all the nuns
A secret corner.
gufina68,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A peaceful spot outside the usual tourist circuits. The garden is delightful, and the history is interesting.
Pleasant visit away from the crowd
835silvaa,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Valletta is full of groups of tourists even in May, which personally annoys me, and this monastery is an oasis of peace and tranquility that is worth visiting if one wants to take a break from the crowd. The entrance costs 8 euros, and one can visit the ground floor with a beautiful garden surrounded by rooms that recreate the living and working environments of the nuns. There are still 3 living there, all over eighty, strictly on the upper floors.
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