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St. John's Co-Cathedral

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St. John's Co-Cathedral (Malta)
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Practical info — St. John's Co-Cathedral

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Book your tickets for the Co-Cathedral online in advance to skip the famously long lines at the entrance.
  • Wear comfortable flat shoes; Valletta is built on a peninsula with many steep streets, stairs, and smooth paving stones.
  • Make sure to visit the Oratory inside the church to see the dramatic original masterpieces by Caravaggio.
  • Use the Barrakka Lift to get from the Grand Harbour waterfront up to the city center quickly and save your legs.
  • Take the quick ferry across to the Three Cities for the best panoramic views of Valletta's bastion walls.

🍽 Food

🍽
Lampuki Pie

A savory pie made with local mahi-mahi fish (in season during autumn). Best found in seafood spots down near the waterfront.

🍽
Kinnie

Malta's own bittersweet soft drink made from bitter oranges and extracts. Grab a cold one at any open-air piazza cafe.

🍽
Seafood Pasta

Fresh daily catch tossed with pasta. Explore the pleasant side streets like Strait Street for authentic, cozy dining spots.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Merchants Street (Triq il-Merkanti)

A bustling pedestrian street featuring a lively market and a mix of local and independent shops.

🛍
Maltese Silver Filigree

Delicate, traditional handcrafted jewelry. You'll find intricate pieces in artisan jewelry shops dotted across the city.

🧘
Upper Barrakka Gardens

Visit early in the morning for a tranquil atmosphere and sweeping, postcard-great views of the Grand Harbour.

🧘
Hastings Gardens

Located on top of the bastions on the west side, this quiet park has fantastic views of Marsamxett Harbour away from the crowds.

Highlights of 2026

2

St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta is a world-renowned masterpiece of High Baroque architecture and the spiritual heart of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière and designed by the military architect Girolamo Cassar, its severe, fortress-like exterior was intended to project the military resolve of the Knights of St. John. However, the interior is a dazzling contrast, transformed in the 17th century into a riot of gold and intricate carvings by the Calabrian artist Mattia Preti. The vaulted ceiling features a magnificent cycle of paintings depicting the life of John the Baptist, achieved with a 'di sotto in su' technique that creates a sense of immense height. One of the cathedral's most distinctive features is its floor, covered with over 400 multicolored marble tombstones that commemorate the Order's most prominent knights. The cathedral is perhaps most famous for housing Caravaggio’s largest and most significant work, 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist', located in the Oratory; it is uniquely the only work signed by the temperamental master. The structure includes eight chapels dedicated to the different 'langues' or administrative divisions of the Order, each competing in artistic splendor. Beyond its religious function, the cathedral serves as a repository for priceless Flemish tapestries based on designs by Rubens and a collection of choral books. Designated a Co-Cathedral to share equal status with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina, it remains a primary destination for cultural tourism and a living place of worship, embodying the grand legacy of the Knights of Malta.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C151415161923262725232016
Rain mm74655133171141063829582

Geography

Population
6,794
Coordinates
35.89750, 14.51250

Facts

  • Constructed between 1572 and 1577 by architect Girolamo Cassar.
  • Houses 'The Beheading of St. John', Caravaggio's largest masterpiece.
  • The floor contains approximately 405 inlaid marble tombstones.
  • Mattia Preti painted the ceiling using oil on stone, not fresco.
  • Elevated to Co-Cathedral status in 1816 by the Pope.
  • The facade clock shows three different times: hours, days, and months.
  • The interior took over 100 years to reach its full Baroque splendor.
  • Managed by the St. John's Co-Cathedral Foundation since 2001.

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Sights in the town St. John's Co-Cathedral (8)

St. John's Co-Cathedral

A 16th-century Baroque cathedral housing Caravaggio’s 'Beheading of Saint John the Baptist' and ornate marble tombs.

Grandmaster's Palace

The former administrative centre of the Knights of Malta, now the Presidential Palace, featuring a vast armoury collection.

Upper Barrakka Gardens

Public gardens on the upper tier of St. Peter & Paul Bastion, offering panoramic views of the Grand Harbour.

Fort St. Elmo

Star-shaped fort at the tip of Valletta, home to the National War Museum and site of heroic defense during the 1565 siege.

National Museum of Archaeology

Located in the Auberge de Provence, it displays Maltese prehistoric artifacts including 'The Sleeping Lady'.

Lower Barrakka Gardens

Quiet gardens overlooking the breakwater, featuring a Doric temple monument and the massive Siege Bell War Memorial.

Triton Fountain

A large fountain featuring three bronze Tritons outside Valletta's City Gate, a masterpiece of Maltese modernist design.

City Gate & Parliament House

Renzo Piano’s contemporary entrance to the capital and the modern Parliament building set within historic fortifications.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to pay for the Cathedral?
Yes, adults pay about 15 EUR (including audio guide).
Is there a dress code?
Shoulders and knees must be covered; no stiletto heels.
What is the most famous painting there?
Caravaggio's 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist'.
Is photography allowed inside?
Yes, but without flash; it's often prohibited in the Caravaggio wing.
Is the Cathedral open for tourists on Sunday?
On Sundays, it is usually closed for tourist visits.
St. John's Co-Cathedral: where is it located?
St. John's Co-Cathedral is located in Malta.
St. John's Co-Cathedral: what is there to see?
Highlights include St. John's Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster's Palace, Upper Barrakka Gardens.
St. John's Co-Cathedral: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.
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