Let's meet at the priory

As scores of tourists chatter along the streets of Mdina and horse-driven cabs rattle over the stone paving, I sit on a bench in the courtyard of the Carmelite priory in Villegaignon Street and find immediate solace in the engulfing silence.

You can experience this feeling on Saturday when the priory will open its doors to the public between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

A Provincial Commission for Cultural Heritage has been set up to oversee the renovation of the place and turn part of it into a museum. The plan includes the setting up of a Carmelite institute for the study of spirituality and Mariology to be run by the Carmelites together with the Discalced Carmelites, provincial Fr Alexander Vella said.

The institute will host an up-to-date library open to the public and also hold courses.

According to art historian Keith Sciberras, the refectory at the priory, one of the most impressive on the island, is an expansive manifestation of the baroque concept of the total work of art. Indeed, the decoration comes as a visual surprise compared with the general austerity of the rest of the building.

"Apart from the outstanding examples of Maltese wooden tables and stalls, the mural paintings provide a tapestry-like decoration that covers every inch of the walls.

"On the entrance lunette is a 17th century painting of the Virgin of Trapani while the ceiling carries representations of Carmelite saints and emblems," Dr Sciberras explained.

Among the art treasures in the chapter hall, where the Carmelites would discuss the day-to-day running of the community, is a neo Gothic wooden ballot box for vote-taking on important decisions.

Leaving the hall and walking through the narrow corridor that leads into the church is a remarkable painting by Mattia Preti and his bottega representing the Virgin of Carmel.

Further on, past the beautiful carpentry of the sacristy is a jewel of baroque stone carving - a lavabo where the priests washed their hands prior to saying Mass. The church is dominated by a gilt wood-carved reredos, which is about five by six metres and frames Stefano Erardi's titular painting The Annunciation Of The Virgin. Other works are by Michele Bellanti and Giuseppe Calì.

"Although the oratory was remodelled in the late 20th century, most of its treasures and furniture still survive and will be reinstated.

"Much of the archives are virgin ground as is the library of 17th and 18th century books. The idea is to open a specialised library to the public," Fr Vella said.

The target date for the opening of the museum and institute will be December to conclude the celebrations the Carmelites are holding to mark the 800th anniversary of the Carmelite rule.

The money needed for the project runs into thousands of liri which will hopefully be raised through corporate sponsorship and other activities.