Valletta – Malta’s Historic Capital City
Introduction
Valletta is the capital city of Malta and one of the most historically significant urban centres in the Mediterranean. Built by the Knights of the Order of St John in the 16th century, the city is a masterpiece of Renaissance military engineering and Baroque architecture. Its exceptional preservation and cultural importance led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Location
St John’s Co-Cathedral
St John’s Co-Cathedral is Valletta’s most celebrated landmark. Constructed between 1573 and 1577 as the conventual church of the Knights of St John, the cathedral’s interior is one of the finest examples of Baroque art in Europe.
The cathedral houses important works of art, including Caravaggio’s masterpiece The Beheading of St John the Baptist, making it one of Malta’s most significant cultural treasures.
UNESCO World Heritage Status
Valletta was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The designation recognises the city’s outstanding universal value as a planned Renaissance city and its exceptional concentration of historic monuments.
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage city. Learn more about the city in our Valletta guide.
Why Valletta Is Central to Malta’s Heritage
Valletta is more than Malta’s capital—it is a monument to strategic vision, artistic achievement, and historical endurance. Its streets, fortifications, and monuments encapsulate the story of the Knights of St John, British naval power, wartime resilience, and modern Maltese identity.
Valletta, the capital of Malta, contains one of the highest concentrations of historic churches in Europe. Built mainly during the rule of the Knights of St John in the 16th and 17th centuries, these churches reflect the religious and architectural heritage of the city. This directory lists the churches and chapels located within Valletta's historic streets.
List of Churches and Chapels in Valletta
| Name | Location | First Built | Google Map |
| St John's CoCathedral | Triq San Gwann, Valletta | 1572 and 1577 | Google Map |
| St. Lucy’s Church | Lvant, Valletta | circa 1570 – 1575 | Google Map |
| Our Lady of Victory Church | Triq In-Nofsinhar, Valletta | 1566 | Google Map |
| Church of St Catherine of Italy | Triq In-Nofsinhar, Valletta | 1576 | Google Map |
| St Paul of the Shipwreck Church | St. Lucia's Street, Valletta | 1570 | Google Map |
| Basilica of Saint Dominic | Merchants Street, Valletta | 1571 | Google Map |
| Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Old Theatre Street, Valletta | 1570 | Google Map |
| St. James Church | Merchants Street, Valletta | 1612 | Google Map |
| St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral | West Street, Valletta | 1839 | Google Map |
| Church of Our Lady of the Pillar | Punent, Valletta | 1670 | Google Map |
| Orthodox Church of St Nicholas | Merchants Street, Valletta | 1569 | Google Map |
| Orthodox Church of St George | Merchants Street, Valletta | 1816 | Google Map |
| Church of St Mary Magdalene | Merchants Street, Valletta | 1614 | Google Map |
| Church of St Catherine of Alexandria | Republic Street, Valletta | 1576 | Google Map |
| St Andrew’s Scots Church | South Street, Valletta | 1857 | Google Map |
| Church of St Augustine | Old Bakery Street, Valletta | 1571 | Google Map |
| Church of Our Lady of Liesse | 63 Liesse, Valletta | 1620 | Google Map |
| Knisja ta’ Ġieżu | Triq San Gwann, Valletta | 1571 | Google Map |
| Knisja tal-Ġiżwiti | Merchants Street, Valletta | 1593 | Google Map |
| Church of Christ the Redeemer | St Christopher Street, Valletta | 1692 | Google Map |
| Church of the Santissimu Kurċifiss | Triq San Orsla, Valletta | Late 16th century | Google Map |
| Knisja ta' Santa Barbara | Republic Street, Valletta | 1573 | Google Map |
| Church of St Francis of Assisi | Republic Street, Valletta | 1598 | Google Map |
| Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Damascus | Archbishop Street, Valletta | 1580 | Google Map |
| Monastery of St Ursula | St.Ursula Street, Valletta | 1595 | Google Map |
| Romanian Orthodox Church | St. Ursula Street, Valletta | 1593 | Google Map |
| Chapel of St Anne - Valletta | Fort St. Elmo | 1552 | Google Map |
| Oratory of the Onorati | Archbishop Street, Valletta | Early 17th century | Google Map |
| Oratory of the Immacolata | Archbishop Street, Valletta | Early 17th century | Google Map |
| Santu Rokku Chapel | Great Siege Road | 1643 | Google Map |
| Oratorju tal-Madonna taċ-Ċintura | Old Bakery Street | 17th century | Google Map |
| Oratorju tal-Fratellanza tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu | Old Theatre Street | 1622 | Google Map |
| Adoremus Chapel | St Ursula Street | Late 20th century | Google Map |
| Paladini Chapel Grand Masters Palace | Republic Street | Late 16th century | Google Map |
Last updated: March 2026