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 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.
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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.
Options
Mysterium Fidei Monastery & Secret Garden in Valletta
Reviews
246 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Lovely and thought provoking
23katyp,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a lovely evening experience with some thought provoking features which really opens your eyes to what living in a monastery involved. The secret garden is beautiful and smelt delightful from the fresh herbs and flowers! Resident cats and turtles were so adorable too! Such a hidden beauty in Valletta.
Definitely Worth Visiting
KarlMccc,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Its a nice place to relax in the garden and to learn about the history of the place. Its defintiely worth your time to stop by and give your support!
Beautiful Monastery and...
Elizabeth K,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful Monastery and gardens, with lots of history. Was a nice hidden gem to explore for 30-45 minutes
Enjoyable & interesting look into the history& lives at the convent & secret garden
Karen T,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Monastery is only a few mins walk away from centre of Valletta. A fascinating look into the history of the convent, how they lived & lots of old artefacts. The Gardens were amazing with a very friendly little cat. Very enjoyable
Secret
X213NWsusans,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Only 8 euros. Easy to find and really interesting. Worth a visit
Hidden Gem - well worth a visit.
Bartridge,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Don't expect anything too extensive from this - you only get to tour the ground floor as the other floors are still lived in by the closed order of nuns. But the courtyard garden is a lovely little oasis, and they've done a good job of making the cloisters into exhibit areas to tell the story. You don't need more than 30-45 mins to see everything, but the tickets are very reasonably priced, so well worth popping in if you have a bit of spare time.
Worthwhile tour
Angela A,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour provided insight to the nun’s lives. The means by which the covenant were gifted the property was particularly interesting.
Hidden gem
deyanpehlivanov,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This convent dedicated to St Catherine was opened centuries ago, yet only recently has it been opened to the public. It is extremely interesting and a very peaceful, quiet place conducive to reflection and relaxation. As it is still a functioning convent with nuns living within, tact and respect is required when visiting, however one can still enjoy the beautiful garden, walk along the cloisters and visit the lower floor. There are several exhibits of the nuns’ daily life - their bedrooms, the mess hall, the pens where they raised animals and the objects they brought with them when they joined the convent. The chapel is also open to the public and one can sometimes see the nuns themselves at prayer. There is a joint ticket with the St Dominic Cathedral close by which is called the Blackfriars’ experience (the Dominicans are called the Blackfriars due to their attire). It was a very good deal and the cathedral is well worth a visit so it’s best to get the joint ticket.
It doesn't matter if you don't see it
sofin895,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The place was a monastery housing orphaned girls. The nuns never came out of the monastery walls. There is not much to see for the visitor. A beautiful garden with a statue in the middle, the spaces that floated and cooked, the dormitories of the nuns with a sound background of prayers and the space that buried the nuns. If it weren't for the ticket combined with the Black Friars Experience I'd cry my money.
No need to belt move
Y7210FEval rieb,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Tiny garden that cannot and never could feed the residents of the cloister. We pass rooms that have been arranged for the visit but nothing authentic. The only interesting things such as rainwater use are mentioned but not shown or explained. It's not worth the trip or the 10 euros.
From €10.00
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