The museum houses a complete set of 15th-century choir books that were rescued from the original medieval cathedral.
The collection includes the original collection of copperplate engravings by Albrecht Dürer, a rarity in Southern Europe.
The building was constructed as a seminary for the priesthood before being repurposed into a museum in the 1960s.
It preserves a collection of 18th-century French silver that survived the turbulent periods of Maltese history, including the French occupation.
The museum holds a significant collection of coins minted by the Order of St. John.
The Mdina Cathedral Museum is housed in a baroque former seminary building, strategically located on the edge of Malta’s fortified silent city. It serves as the primary repository for the artistic and historical heritage of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Paul. The collection features a significant assemblage of late medieval to early modern religious paintings, including notable works by Mattia Preti and Francesco Zahra. The museum holds an extensive archive of liturgical silver, vestments, and ecclesiastical objects spanning centuries of Maltese church history. Visitors can examine the rare Dürer woodcut series, specifically the 'Life of the Virgin' and 'The Apocalypse'. The site maintains a notable collection of 18th-century French silver and various numismatic displays. The museum building itself is an architectural specimen of the late 17th century designed by Lorenzo Gafà. It integrates seamlessly into the Archbishop's Square, facing the main entrance of the Mdina Cathedral.
The internal courtyard of the museum, which offers a quiet perspective of the baroque architecture.
Combine your visit with the St. Paul’s Cathedral pass to access both sites at a better value.
Spend extra time in the Dürer gallery as it is often overlooked by casual visitors.
Visit the upper floors first to follow the chronological layout of the religious art collection.
Do not rush through the galleries; the museum is dense with small, high-detail objects that require slow observation.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Modest dress is required as it is part of a religious institution; shoulders and knees should be covered.
