Carmelite Church and Priory

Baroque art and architecture at its best

The  Carmelite Church and Priory is located in the heart of Mdina, and it recently opened its doors to the public. The friars living in the priory invite you to experience their spiritual way of life in this fascinating 17th century building. You can visit the impressive church, the rooms of the priory and the museum.

Built between 1660 and 1675, the Church is one of the most important with respect to Baroque architecture. It was the first church to be built in Malta to an elliptical plan. There is a spectacular painting of The Annunciation by Stefano Erardi (1677) above the main altar, accompanied by other paintings by the famous local artist Giuseppe Cali.

The Priory also has impressive artistic value. The highlight is the Refectory where friars gather for communal meals. It is an illustration of total Baroque art, where paintings, sculpture and architecture come together. A courtyard gives natural light to the surrounding cloisters that connect the Priory to the church. The Old Priory Café offers a range of food and beverages to complete your visit to the The Carmelite Church.