St John's Co-Cathedral, A Baroque Marvel of Lavish Grandeur

St John Street, Valletta, Malta
The golden splendor inside the church is truly magnificent
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Introduction

St. John's Co-Cathedral is a cathedral in Malta and one of the iconic buildings in the city of Valletta. It was built between 1573 and 1578 by the Knights of Malta. Although it looks unremarkable from the outside, the interior is decorated in a grand Baroque style, including beautifully carved walls, arches depicting the life of St. John, and side altars, all of which were personally completed by the knight, Pratì. This cathedral is also known as one of the most beautiful churches in Europe. There are eight chapels inside the cathedral, each dedicated to the patron saint of one of the eight sections of the Knights of Malta. The Anglo-Bavarian Chapel displays the holy relics obtained by the knights, while the most famous artwork in the church is Caravaggio's "Beheading of St. John." The cathedral also has a museum that displays two important works by the world-renowned painter Caravaggio. Grand Master Valette and other members of the Knights of Malta are also buried here. For tourists who love history and art, St. John's Co-Cathedral is definitely a place not to be missed.
Address
St John Street, Valletta, Malta
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 9:30-16:30 (entry prohibited after 16:00)
Saturday 9:30-12:30 (entry prohibited after 12:00)
Closed on Sundays, public holidays and during worship periods.
Transportation
You can choose to enter from the city gate in front of the Valletta Bus Terminal and walk straight along Republic Street for about 10 minutes to reach your destination.