Religious site · Valletta, South Eastern Region

St John's Co-Cathedral

The Knights of St John's conventual church in Valletta, with a lavish Baroque interior and two works by Caravaggio

Ambient sound · similar settingMidday bells of several churches across an old city centre

Photo: David Payne (@studiopayne) / Unsplash

Discover St John's Co-Cathedral

From the street, St John's Co-Cathedral looks severe: a sober limestone front flanked by two bell towers, closer in spirit to the city's bastions than to a grand church. Step inside, though, and the effect is overwhelming. Every surface of the long nave is carved, gilded or painted, from the vaulted ceiling with scenes from the life of St John the Baptist to the side chapels of the knights' national langues.

Underfoot lies a floor of richly coloured marble tombstones commemorating knights and officers of the Order. In the Oratory hangs Caravaggio's Beheading of St John the Baptist, the largest canvas he painted and the only one he signed, together with his St Jerome Writing. Included audio guides help make sense of the art and history.

Don’t miss

01Mattia Preti's painted vault depicting the life of St John the Baptist
02Caravaggio's Beheading of St John the Baptist (1608) and St Jerome Writing in the Oratory
03The inlaid marble floor of tombstones commemorating knights and officers of the Order
04Side chapels decorated by the Order's different national langues
05The crypt, burial place of Grand Masters including Jean de Valette

History & culture

The story of St John's Co-Cathedral

The church was built by the Order of St John between about 1573 and 1578 to designs by the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, whose military background shows in its austere exterior. It served as the Order's conventual church, and in the 1820s it was given the status of co-cathedral, sharing that role with the cathedral in Mdina.

In the 17th century the Calabrian artist Mattia Preti transformed the interior, carving the stone walls and painting the vault and side altars with episodes from the life of the Baptist. The knights' langues each decorated their own chapel, and some 400 knights and officers were buried beneath the inlaid marble floor, while several Grand Masters, including Jean de Valette, lie in the crypt. Caravaggio painted the Beheading of St John the Baptist in 1608, during his time in Malta.

Local life & traditions

St John's remains an active Catholic church and is used for important services of the Archdiocese of Malta, alongside its role as a museum and heritage site. Many Maltese consider it a symbol of the nation's history under the knights. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and behave quietly, as they would at any place of worship.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Allow at least an hour to take in the nave and chapels with the included audio guide, then spend time in the Oratory with Caravaggio's paintings. Look down as well as up: the coloured marble tombstones form one of the most striking parts of the church. A separate belfry tour is offered for an extra fee.

It is still a consecrated church, so visits pause or are limited during services. Combine the visit with a walk through Valletta's grid of streets, a stop at the nearby Grandmaster's Palace and the views from the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

When to go

The Co-Cathedral can be visited year round. Weekday mornings shortly after opening tend to be calmer, while late mornings can be busy when cruise ships are in port. In summer, the cool interior is a welcome break from the midday heat.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Opening hours (as published): Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 16:45, last admission 16:00; closed on Sundays and public holidays. Source: stjohnscocathedral.com ↗
Dress code (as published): This is a church, so visitors are asked to dress appropriately and to bring a shawl to cover up. Source: stjohnscocathedral.com ↗
Footwear (as published): Stiletto and narrow heels are not allowed. Source: stjohnscocathedral.com ↗
Photography and bags (as published): Photography is allowed without flash; there are no lockers, large backpacks must be carried in front or by hand, wheeled luggage is not allowed, and no food or drink is permitted. Source: stjohnscocathedral.com ↗
Admission (as published, Oct 2026): Adults €15; seniors and students €12; children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. Handheld audio guides are included. Source: stjohnscocathedral.com ↗
Address: St John's Street, Valletta. Source: visitmalta.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Bring a shawl or light layer to cover shoulders, and choose flat shoes.
Travel light: there are no lockers for large bags.
Arrive soon after opening for a quieter visit.
Leave time for the Oratory, where the Caravaggio paintings hang.
Check for services or special closures on the official site before your visit.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around St John's Co-Cathedral: food, markets & places to stay

The Co-Cathedral stands in the centre of Valletta, a short walk from City Gate and the main bus terminus. Republic Street and Merchants Street, which run either side of it, are lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. The Grandmaster's Palace and the Upper Barrakka Gardens are within a few minutes' walk.