Scandal and Dis-Order

Scandal and Dis-Order

Hear dirty deeds by the naughty knights of St John, the prostitutes who became rich nuns, and the 1823 carnival tragedy

Naughty Knights and Deadly Days

This tour reveals the titillating truth about the Knights of Malta and the people they ruled over. Learn what the founder of Valletta, Jean de Valette, really thought of Malta and the Maltese; uncover the sex lives of these rich, bored knights; hear the antics of the former prostitutes who became rich nuns but then sometimes failed to leave bad habits behind. Learn the scandalous way that Grand Master Pinto departed this earth; the shocking murder statistics from the early modern period; and hear about the female pharmacist who tied up her servants and flogged them, as well as assaulting her love rivals in church. You'll also hear why more than 100 teenage boys entered a Valletta church during the 1823 carnival, but did not come out the building alive. All this, and more, on the Scandal and Dis-Order tour.

What to Expect

Horrible Histories

Dark Malta Tours tell true stories of murder, crime, witchcraft, tragedy and naughty behaviour from across Malta's history.

Historic Setting

The setting for this walking tour will be Malta's picturesque and historic capital city Valletta, a UNESCO World Hertitage site.

Professional Guide

The tour will be conducted by Mario, a licensed tourist guide who has spent years studying the darker side of Malta's history.

Flexible Access

The tour is suitable for people of average fitness and ability. Please get in touch if you have mobility requirements.

Payments

Payment can be made in cash at the start of the tour. Revolut payments are also accepted in advance.

Contact

Ask for more information or make a booking on +356 99892628 or click the icon above to send an email.

Tour Meeting Point

The Triton Fountain at night
The tour begins at the Triton Fountain at the entrance to Valletta

€15 per ticket

Book now and discover Malta's dark history!

Experience Other Dark Tours

Hear more dark history stories from around the Maltese Islands

A statue of Grandmaster Jean de Valette

The Dark History of Valletta

Dscover the darker side of Malta’s capital city. Hear of a 16th Century ghost who threw parties in the 1990s; learn the truth about Valletta’s namesake Jean de Valette; hear of Malta’s first ever transgender person, and discover why British sailors once wriggled through a large hook found in the city.

Mysteries and Histories of Mdina

Wander through the charming streets of medieval Mdina and see the exact place where a huge treasure hoard was uncovered; learn why priests were once beaten up at the cathedral, hear about a heartbroken ghost, and find out why a woman was once whipped on a donkey through Mdina’s streets.

The Senglea Guardiola at night

The Dark Side of Senglea

Senglea is the scene of bloody murders and moving Madonnas, of dragons and mermaids, and the place where jealous lovers took their terrible revenge. Walk these narrow, atmospheric streets and enjoy stunning views of the Grand Harbour while hearing about Senglea’s dark and fascinating past.

An old street at night with colourful doors and old balconies

Witchcraft and Blood in Birgu

Birgu is an ancient city where you’ll find stories of magic, curses, spells and witchcraft trials. It’s also the site of Malta’s biggest-ever explosion; a place where heretics were strangled to death; where a priest murdered his lover and ghosts roam the palazzos and forts.

The highly-decorated baroque interior of St John's Co-Cathedral

Secrets of St John’s Co-Cathedral

Uncover the stories and symbols hidden within one of Tripadvisor’s Top 25 attractions in Europe. Hear messages left for you by the Knights of Malta from beyond their graves; see two Caravaggio paintings and discover the strange reason why this unforgettable church is a “co-cathedral”.

Mysteries in a Valletta Monastery

Take a tour around the Mysterium Fidei Museum, part of the cloistered St Catherine’s monastery. This intimate tour, held exclusively after hours, will show you where the nuns live, reveal the truth behind the monastery’s “control rooms” and lead you into the candlelit crypt where you’ll be told of the rituals surrounding its death bed.

A statue of Jean de Valette

Scandal and Dis-Order

This tour reveals the titillating truth about the Knights of Malta and the people they ruled over. Learn what the founder of Valletta, Jean de Valette, really thought of Malta and the Maltese; uncover the sex lives of these rich, bored knights; hear of the ex-prostitutes who became nuns, but then sometimes failed to leave bad habits behind.

A waxwork of a woman with the plague

Tales of Torture in Mdina Dungeons

Take an exclusive guided tour around Mdina Dungeons at night and hear tales of terror and trauma from Malta’s horrible histories. Examine lifelike displays showing torture, witches, plague victims and more, while hearing blood-curdling stories of these brutal, true moments from history.

The drawing room of a palazzo

Dark Tales in an Mdina Palazzo

Gain rare access to an exquisite Mdina palazzo and discover strange stories from its fascinating past. You’ll touch a piece of the True Cross as certified by a Pope, see tiny rooms where slaves slept and the place where legend has it a French solider was beaten to death. The tour will end with drinks on either the roof or in the stunning drawing room.

Law Courts of Malta

Stories of the Strange in Valletta

Discover the more unusual stories from Valletta’s past, like the city’s uncomfortable history with poo; the unusual rebels who tried to overthrow the Knights of Malta; the place where the plague of 1813 began; and learn the story of a British Army surgeon who came to Malta while hiding an incredible secret.

A view of the large, circular Mosta dome basilica. Pic by Tony Hisgett under Creative Commons 2.0

Book a Private Tour

Want to experience the rich history of the Maltese islands? Book a private tour for any of the dark history walks, or for a family-friendly trip covering Malta’s many highlights. This can include visits to the megalithic temples, the ancient city of Mdina, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the sleepy charms of the island of Gozo.

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