Iglesia Santa María Magdalena, Valletta

Valletta boasts numerous churches and chapels that were built during the time of the Knights of the Order of St John. The church dedicated to St Mary Magdalene was commissioned by Grand Master Antoine de Paul and constructed between 1623 and 1636. It was built for the cloistered nuns of St Mary Magdalene, whose monastery once stood next to the church, being the largest and richest of Valletta’s nunneries. The Magdalene nuns of Valletta enjoyed a history of 203 years affiliated to the Order of St John, until it was abolished by the French authorities who must have keenly aware of their wealth.

During the WW2, the church and monastery suffered great damage, and eventually fell into a bad state of neglect. The church has been recently restored, bringing its Baroque interior to life once again, and opening up its use as a cultural venue.