Valletta Black Friars Experience
Discover the Valletta Black Friars Experience, a museum within the Dominican Priory and Church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo, showcasing religious art, silver artifacts, and the history of the Black Friars in Valletta.
Planning your visit
The Dominicans arrived in Valletta before the city was finished — their priory dates from 1571, making it among the oldest buildings in a capital founded in 1566 after the Great Siege. The Black Friars Experience opens parts of the priory and the church of Our Lady of Porto Salvo to visitors.
The collection covers religious art, silver liturgical objects, vestments, manuscripts and the history of the order in Malta, alongside the architecture of the priory itself — cloisters, chapter house and cells not normally accessible.
Malta's Catholic history is dense and materially rich, given the Knights of St John governed the island for two and a half centuries and endowed its churches accordingly.
The presentation places the Dominicans within Valletta's founding and the city's social history rather than treating the art in isolation.
Bookable options are museum experiences run as guided visits. Current availability is shown below.
Before you book
Where is Valletta Black Friars Experience?
Valletta Black Friars Experience is in Valletta, Malta.
What are the opening hours of Valletta Black Friars Experience?
Monday 10:00 – 16:30 Tuesday 10:00 – 16:30 Wednesday 10:00 – 16:30 Thursday 10:00 – 16:30 Friday 10:00 – 16:30 Saturday 10:00 – 16:30 Sunday 12:00 – 16:30. Hours change on public holidays, so check the official site before travelling.
Do I need to book Valletta Black Friars Experience in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.