St. John's Co-Cathedral

A visit to the city of Valletta is incomplete without seeing the St. John's Co-Cathedral, considered by many to be one of the best examples of Baroque architecture and the most beautiful cathedral in the whole world. Constructed in the late 16th Century by the Knights of Malta, it features some of the most stunning interior decorations and wall frescoes in all of Europe, painted by renowned medieval artists, including the Grand Master Caravaggio. As you walk in, the sheer grandeur and opulence of the church are sure to take your breath away with a delicate tomb laid marble floor, gold-gilded decorations and fantastic altar designed by the great Maltese sculptor, Melchiorre Cafà. An in house museum showcasing sacred silk vestments of saints, Flemish tapestries, vintage choral books and other treasured artworks. Seven chapels are located inside the cathedral dedicated to eight different saints of the Knights and do not require an entry fee to visit if you just want to pray. As the fabric of the church is delicate and has to be constantly maintained by the heritage foundation, a limited number of tourists are allowed to visit at a time and women are advised not to wear sharp heels in order to avoid damage to the marble floors. Free audio guides are available to visitors in six different languages.