The Benedictine Sisters’ Monastery originated shortly after the arrival of the Order of St John. The premises served as the Order’s Hospital (Sacra Infermeria) and started being built during the tenure of Grand Master Villiers de L’Isle Adam. A good part of the building blocks were extracted from the same site, and the resultant void was eventually transformed into a water reservoir. The then one-storey building was enlarged with addition of new facilities at first floor in 1538. Nonetheless, it failed to cope with admissions during the bloody months of the Great Siege.
Following the transfer of the hospital to Valletta in 1575, these premises were grossly underutilised. To this effect, the Benedictine Sisters lodged a request to relocate their monastery in this spacious building since the former Magistral Palace a few blocks away was too small for the ever-growing community. The Council of the Order obliged, and the premises were adapted for the new inquilines. The Benedictine Sisters moved to this new monastery in 1652.
The present building contains several architectural styles, including Late Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque.
The Church of St Anne
The monastery incorporates a church dedicated to St Anne. It dates to the 17th century and follows a plan by Lorenzo Gafà. Bishop Jerónimo de Molina laid the first stone on 7 May 1679, while Vicar General Ludovico Famucelli blessed and officially opened the new church on 14 July 1680. The belfry was added in 1694, while the presbytery in 1748. Eventually, Bishop Vincenzo Labini consecrated it on 29 September 1787.
The Façade
The façade consists of three bays. The centrally placed door was accessed via a stepped parvis. This was removed in the closing years of the 19th century. The original composition was also mutilated during the French tenure when the three heraldic coats of arms were defaced. Gafà incorporated five windows in his designs, all secured by heavy iron works typical of cloister monasteries.
The Interior
The church is in the Baroque idiom. It contains three altars and is roofed over by a dome. The reredos of the main altar comprises Corinthian pillars and a composition of angels. Three windows at the back of the main altar link the church to the abutting choir.
Works of Art
The titular painting is by Mattia Preti. It represents St Anne, the Holy Family, St Benedict and St Scholastica. The lateral paintings portray St Michael and the Immaculate Conception and are the work of Rokku Buhagiar and Gian Nikola Buhagiar respectively. The same altars treasure two paintings by Giuseppe Calì showing Our Lady of Sorrows and St Joseph respectively. On the feast of St Benedict, the founder of the Order, the church is further embellished with notable works of art, including fine embroidery work crafted by the same nuns.
Milestones
1530-33: construction of the Sacra Infermeria
1575: relocation of the Order’s Hospital to Valletta
1652: adaptation of the underutilised hospital premises as monastery
1798-1800: nuns relocate to Mdina as directed by the French rulers
1940-44: nuns relocate to Mdina in view of the heavy enemy bombardment
