About the Cathedral
Built by the Knights of St. John (Order of the Knights Hospitaller) between 1572 and 1577, after they established Valletta as their fortified capital following the Great Siege of 1565.
Designed by Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar (who also designed many of Valletta’s key buildings).
The cathedral was originally austere, with a plain Mannerist exterior, resembling a fortress more than a church.
In the 17th century, the interior was lavishly decorated in the Baroque style by Mattia Preti, a Calabrian artist who painted the vaulted ceilings and side chapels with scenes from the life of St. John the Baptist.
It was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order.
Art & Architecture Highlights
Main Nave & Vaulted Ceiling: Painted by Mattia Preti (1660s) with dramatic scenes from the life of St. John.
Side Chapels: Each dedicated to the different "Langues" (national divisions) of the Knights (e.g., Italian, French, German).
Marble Tombstones: The floor is a mosaic of richly inlaid marble tombstones marking the graves of over 400 knights and nobles. Each slab is a work of art, showing coats of arms, symbols, and Latin inscriptions.
High Altar: Features a stunning marble sculpture of St. John the Baptist by Giuseppe Mazzuoli (1703).
Caravaggio Masterpieces
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist(1608) — the largest painting Caravaggio ever created and his only signed work.
Saint Jerome Writing — another dramatic and famous piece. Both are housed in the Oratory of the Co-Cathedral.
Tapestries & Silverware: The cathedral’s museum holds Flemish tapestries, Baroque vestments, manuscripts, and religious treasures.
Religious & Cultural Role
St. John’s is a Co-Cathedral because it shares the episcopal seat of the Archdiocese of Malta with St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina.
It was the conventual church of the Knights of St. John, where important ceremonies and funerals were held.
Today, it is both an active place of worship and a major cultural landmark, considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe.
Visitor Information
Location: St. John’s Square, Valletta, Malta. Easily accessible by foot from Valletta’s main entrance.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:30 – 16:30
Saturday: 09:30 – 12:30
Closed on Sundays and public holidays (for worship only).
(Check official site for updates)
Tickets: Entry fees apply (discounts for students/seniors; children under 12 free). Includes access to the Oratory, Museum, and audiovisual introduction.
Dress Code: Modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered). Scarves are available at the entrance if needed.
Guided Tours: Audio guides available in multiple languages. Private and group tours can be booked.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, with lifts available.
Why Visit?
To admire world-class Baroque art and architecture.
To see Caravaggio’s masterpieces in their original setting.
To walk on the ornate marble tombstone floor — a unique funerary monument.
To experience the grandeur of the Knights Hospitaller’s spiritual heart in Malta.