Mysterium Fidei Museum (St. Catherine's Monastery and Secret Garden)

After four centuries, its rusted doors have finally been unlocked!

The Mysterium Fidei Museum is an immersive experience that will transport you to a hidden world—into the underground complex lying beneath St. Catherine’s Monastery in Valletta, the dwelling place of cloistered nuns who for centuries chose to isolate themselves from the external world, till death and beyond it.

Immerse yourself in everyday life at the monastery and the fascinating secrets hidden within these walls. Travel through time from the era of the Knights of St. John to this day. Take an audio tour of the complex and explore the rooms used for work, prayer, restraint, and eternal rest. We welcome you to come and witness this authentic mystery of faith!

St. Catherine’s Monastery was founded in 1575, initially to care for female orphans. The monastery was constructed in gratitude for answered prayers, using stone that was excavated from beneath it. The open quarry was then turned into the underground complex you will be experiencing. Over hundreds of years, cloistered nuns made an oath to lead a simple life of prayer, contemplation, and service. From inside this monastery, the very few remaining nuns continue to uphold its legacy.

The underground complex is brimming with stories that span across centuries. This complex is both fascinating and unique, featuring ribbed vaulted rooms, a peaceful central garden, fiery ovens, an untouched burial site, and much more.

This peaceful underground complex is an oasis of tranquillity and serenity; its areas quietly share stories of dedication, deep devotion, and compassion for anyone in need of assistance. When visiting Valletta, Mysterium Fidei is an essential experience that you must not overlook.

The self-guided audio tour is available in eight languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Maltese.