#495 Globally
βͺ St John's Co-Cathedral Valletta
Malta
About This Sacred Site
St John's Co-Cathedral is one of the finest examples of High Baroque architecture in Europe, built by the Knights of St John between 1573 and 1578. The austere exterior conceals a dazzlingly ornate interior with every surface covered in carved stone, gilded stucco, and painted vaults by Mattia Preti. The cathedral houses Caravaggio's masterpiece 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist,' his largest work and the only painting he signed.
Key Facts
- β’Built between 1573 and 1578 by architect Girolamo Cassar for the Knights of Malta
- β’Houses Caravaggio's 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist,' signed by the artist
- β’The marble floor comprises over 400 tombstones of knights inlaid with colored marble
- β’Each of the eight langues (nationalities) of the Knights had their own ornate chapel
- β’The vault paintings by Mattia Preti depict scenes from the life of St John the Baptist
Location
Coordinates: 35.8978, 14.5133
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