Background: What’s a Langue Chapel?
Each of the eight official “langues” (linguistic divisions of the Knights of St. John) had its own chapel, serving as both spiritual center and a showcase of their wealth and prominence. These chapels are exquisitely decorated with art, funerary monuments, and altarpieces, often reflecting the artistic direction of the Baroque period. A ninth chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady of Philermos, was dedicated to the Order's patroness.
Chapels of St. John’s Co-Cathedral
On the South Side (right side when facing the altar):
Also called the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.
Originally housed the revered icon of Our Lady of Philermos (now in Montenegro). A replica by Mattia Preti now adorns the altar.
Dedicated to Saint Sebastian.
Altarpiece shows his martyrdom; houses monument of Grand Master Annet de Clermont-Gessant (d. 1660).
Dedicated to Saint George.
Contains Mattia Preti’s masterwork Saint George on Horseback; tombs of Grand Masters Martin de Redin, the Cotoner brothers, and Ramon Perellos y Roccaful.
Dedicated to Saint James.
Features Mattia Preti’s altarpiece, plus tombs of Grand Masters Vilhena and Pinto.
On the North Side (left side when facing the altar):
Dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo.
Once held numerous relics; now famed for its altarpiece of Saint Charles.
Dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.
Contains tombs of Grand Masters Antoine de Paule and Giovanni Paolo Lascaris; rich baroque decoration.
Dedicated to the Conversion of Saint Paul.
Altarpiece by Mattia Preti; tombs of Grand Masters Wignacourt, Rohan-Polduc, and others.
Later redecorated by Giuseppe Hyzler in the 1830s.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception & Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Altarpiece Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine by Mattia Preti; includes tomb of Grand Master Carafa.
Dedicated to the Epiphany of Christ (Adoration of the Magi).
Originally assigned to England, later given to Germany after the Reformation.
Altarpiece by Stefano Erardi.
At-a-Glance Table
| Side of Nave | Chapels |
| South (Right) | Our Lady of Philermos; Auvergne; Aragon; Castile, Leon & Portugal |
| North (Left) | Anglo-Bavarian; Provence; France; Italy; Germany |
Summary
These nine chapels together tell a rich story of identity, artistry, and devotion. Each represents one of the eight linguistic divisions of the Knights (the Langues), plus the central spiritual devotion to Their Lady of Philermos.
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