Valletta Black Friars Experience
Introduction
The Valletta Black Friars Experience in Malta offers visitors a deeply enriching and moving journey through centuries of history and living tradition. Situated in the heart of Valletta on St. Dominic Street, this captivating museum is housed within parts of the Dominican Priory and the church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo and St. Dominic. It invites guests to step inside a place of worship, scholarship, art, and community that has quietly shaped Maltese life for nearly half a millennium.
About the Museum
Once hidden behind closed doors for over three hundred years, the secret chapels and richly adorned rooms of the Dominican friars are now open to the public. Entry begins through the Priory, leading into two beautifully restored chapels: the Chapel of the Fraternity of the Rosary and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. Within these sacred spaces, visitors will encounter fine religious artworks, ornate silver liturgical pieces, and gleaming chalices—all testaments to the Dominican Order’s craft and devotion.
Beyond the chapels lies the Treasury Room, often referred to as the Silver Room or Sacristy. For the first time in centuries, guests may admire a dazzling collection of silver artifacts such as crucifixes and chalices, as well as rare manuscripts and vestments. These treasures reveal the artistic excellence and spiritual depth of the Brothers of St. Dominic .
The journey continues into the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady of Porto Salvo and St. Dominic. Originally built in 1571 and rebuilt after 1780, it was consecrated in 1889 and gained status as a Minor Basilica in 1816. It remains an active church, hosting daily masses, weddings, funerals, and the annual St. Dominic feast. Inside, visitors will be awed by Giuseppe Calí’s renowned frescoes, the tombs of early friars, and relics of saints such as St. Dominic, St. Vincent Ferrer, and St. Prospero.
Interesting Facts
- Exclusive access after centuries closed: The Sacristy and Silver Room were private domains of the friars and closed to the public for over three hundred years.
- Origins in the sixteenth century: The Dominican community in Valletta was established in 1569, and the basilica’s first stone was laid in 1571.
- A living place of worship: The Basilica remains a functioning parish church hosting regular services and community events.
- Spiritual and historical storytelling: Exhibits include informative video and written displays that illuminate the chapels’ histories and the charitable works of the Dominican fraternities.
- Treasures of faith and craftsmanship: Elegant silver altar decorations and ornate vestments showcase the Order’s role in both religious ritual and artistic heritage.
- Seed of charity and compassion: The Fraternity of the Rosary aided prisoners and their families, while the Blessed Sacrament fraternity administered Communion during plague outbreaks.
Photo Gallery
Physical Location
Contact Details
Phone: +3567 746 7061
Website: blackfriarsmuseum.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556870287801
Conclusion
The Valletta Black Friars Experience is far more than a museum; it is a living tapestry woven from devotion, history, art, and community. From the meticulously restored private chapels and the dazzling Silver Room to the grandeur of the basilica and its vibrant traditions, this site encapsulates the enduring spirit of the Black Friars. Whether one seeks spiritual reflection, historical insight, or artistic splendour, the experience offers a moving and enlightening visit. It stands as a proud tribute to the Dominican legacy and its profound impact on Valletta’s past, present, and future.
For any visitor to Malta’s capital, this spiritual and cultural treasure is not to be missed.
