Old Priory Museum

Recently opened, this museum covers the ground floor of Mdina’s old Carmelite Priory while upstairs the life of the few remaining monks continues. I find this place an oasis - its central garden courtyard (Carmel means garden in Hebrew) is wonderfully calm and peaceful. The museum, meanwhile, is a little-known gem and the church next door is of great historic significance. The monastic refectory (complete with pulpit) has been fully restored, as have the kitchens, a friar's cell, the chapter hall (with a ballot box for the monks to vote in secret on priory decisions!) and much more. Next door is the priory church where the Maltese rebellion against Napoleon’s rule was sparked in 1798, eventually leading to British rule in Malta.