Discover the hidden rooms, historic spaces and architectural details of the Abbotsford Convent during Open House Melbourne. For one day only, dozens of Convent spaces that are normally closed to the public will be open, offering behind-the scenes access to one of Melbourne’s most beloved heritage sites.
From grand halls to nuns’ bedrooms now functioning as artists’ studios and imposing staircases set off by stained glass, there’s plenty to explore across the Convent precinct. It’s also a time to reflect on the history of a place While providing shelter, food and education for tens of thousands of women and girls, the Convent was also a place of hardship and ordeal for some who passed through, as was often the experience of those in institutionalised care.
The Open House Melbourne guided tour of the Convent is fully booked out, but visitors are encouraged to come and explore at their own pace, using a dedicated map.
Here are seven must-see spaces to add to your Open House Melbourne itinerary:
1. Bishop’s Parlour
If you like: colour drenching and maximalism
You’ll love: Bishop’s Parlour.
With its ornate carpets, velvet drapes and lavish fireplace, the Bishop’s Parlour is the most ornate and decorative room in the entire precinct. So named because it was the room in which the Archbishop would stop for tea en route from his home at Raheen in Kew to the city.
The Bishop’s Parlour was where the Mother Superior met with VIP guests and new sisters joining the order (pestulants). The lavishly decorated fireplaces in the Bishop’s Parlour and in the foyer area are rendered in an art form known as pokerwork.
2. Grand Staircase
If you like: stained glass and ornate timber balustrades
You’ll love: the Grand staircase
The staircase behind the Bishop’s Parlour is highly decorated with ornate wood balustrades and vibrant stained glass flooding the floors with colour. It was referred to as the ‘Grand Staircase’ by the nuns. Look closely at the steps and you’ll see they’ve been worn down in the centre by tens of thousands of footsteps.
3. Mural Hall
If you like: hand painted murals and the remnants of history
You’ll love: the Mural Hall
As you push open the heavy wooden doors to the Mural Hall, you’ll be struck by the large format, black and white marble floor. Keep looking to the end of the hall and you’ll be met by a large wall mural painted by the Sisters of The Good Shepherd. The mural depicts the Calvary, the site of Christ’s crucifixion, and originally featured a 4 metre high wooden cross at its centre. The crucifix was removed when the nuns sold the site in 1975, but its outline can still clearly be seen.
4. Heritage balcony
If you like: tessellated tiles and sweeping garden views
You’ll love: the Heritage balcony
Step back in time on our heritage balcony, where sweeping views across the gardens meet 110-year-old tessellated tiles and elegant lace ironwork. After falling into disrepair over decades of neglect, the balcony was restored in 2018. This architectural gem is usually not accessible to the public, but you’re invited in to take in the scene as part of Open House Melbourne. Enter the Balcony from the Community and Linen Rooms.
5. The Convent Building
If you like: seeing how historic places can be reimagined as creative spaces
You’ll love: walking the corridors of the Convent and seeing who’s behind studio doors
Built in 1901, the main Convent building was where the Sisters, novices (nuns-in-training) and postulants (women commencing life as nuns) lived. At its peak, the Convent housed up to 150 Sisters. The building included single bedrooms known as ‘cells’ and dormitories. In 2004, following a hard-fought community campaign to save the Convent from developers, it became a not-for-profit precinct dedicated to arts, culture and learning. Today the ‘cells’ (and dozens of other Convent spaces) are home to 130+ creatives.
6. Mercator Building
If you like: buildings with layered history
You’ll love: the Mercator Building
The Mercator was part of the Convent’s Magdalen Laundry, in which thousands of girls and women worked under often oppressive conditions. The Mercator building was the principal sorting and washing area within the laundry complex and was always called the ‘back laundry’. Once the Sisters left the site the building was used by the Mercator Lighting Company for many years, giving it its name today.
Today, the Mercator building has been transformed into studios occupied by jewellers, ceramicists, painters and illustrators, many of which will be open to visit as part of Open House Melbourne.
5. Rosina Courtyard
If you like: quiet outdoor spaces sheltered from the elements
You’ll love: the Rosina Courtyard
It’s easy to miss this unassuming courtyard flanking the Sacred Heart courtyard, but it’s worth a detour. Filled with camelia trees, its enclosed design keeps it sheltered from wind and rain. If you’re lucky, the doors to the Rosina auditorium will be open and you’ll hear classical musicians practising cello, piano or oboe. Peek through the windows of the north building to catch a glimpse of the function room which hosts magical weddings and events.
These special spaces will be open to explore this weekend, as part of Open House Melbourne.
Sunday 26 July
10am – 4pm
Precinct Wide
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Respecting and acknowledging the Convent’s past
Founded by The Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1863, Abbotsford Convent operated for more than 100 years and thousands of girls and women were placed in care at the Convent, with many residing in the Convent’s Sacred Heart building, and labouring in the onsite Magdalen Laundry.
While providing shelter, food and education for tens of thousands of women and girls, the Convent was also a place of hardship and ordeal for some who passed through, as was often the experience of those in institutionalised care.
Today, Abbotsford Convent is owned and operated by the Abbotsford Convent Foundation (ACF) and has no religious affiliations, but it is important that we hold space for the stories of the women and girls who worked and resided at the Convent .