One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Valletta (82)

Oratory and Priory of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Oratory and Priory of Our Lady of Mount Carmel are located on Triq it-Teatru abutting the Church of the same denomination. The oratory is located on the ground floor beneath the priory and has a secondary entrance from the Church.

The façade consists of an arch with a Tuscan column on each side, each set on a pedestal. Next to each column is an identical pilaster. The entablature is plain, above which is a 'second order' having balustrades on each side and a central plinth on which are the words 'Sodalitas Carmelitanvm Mdcccxcvii'. Above it is a floriated carving with a cross rising at centre and an urn on each side. The void above is occupied by a fan window and the archivolt also has mouldings around the edge.

The Priory is a building on four floors, having a rather plain exterior. The ground and first floors on Triq il-Punent consist of small dwellings all having a closed wooden balcony supported on two corbels across the lintel of the door below.

The convent occupies the second and third floors at the corner of Triq il-Punent and Triq it-Teatru. The second floor also has closed wooden balconies each supported on two, more ornate corbels, while the third floor has plain louvered shuttered windows.

The main portal has a flat lintel with an architrave and two consoles supporting a projecting cornice, above which is a large round window.

Mepa scheduled the Oratory and Priory of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as Grade 1 national monuments as per Government Notice number 276/08 in the Government Gazette dated March 28.

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