Saint John's Co-CathedralAbout Saint John's Co-Cathedral
Saint John’s Co-Cathedral is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral in Valletta built by the Knights of St John in the late 16th century. It is renowned for its richly decorated Baroque interior and important artworks.
The interior contrasts a relatively plain exterior with an ornate marble pavement, gilded altars, and ceilings painted in elaborate Baroque style. The cathedral also houses an oratory containing Caravaggio’s celebrated painting of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
Commissioned by the Order of St John after the founding of Valletta, construction took place in the 1570s and the church served as the conventual church of the knights. Over subsequent centuries the cathedral was decorated and embellished with tombs, chapels, and artworks donated by the various langues of the Order.
Situated centrally in Valletta close to the city’s main streets and fortifications, the cathedral occupies a prominent urban block within Malta’s capital.
- Caravaggio painting: Contains Caravaggio’s major work “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist”, which is displayed in the oratory and is a highlight for many visitors.
Nearby Attractions to Saint John's Co-Cathedral
Best Time to Visit Saint John's Co-Cathedral
Visit in shoulder seasons to avoid heavy cruise-ship crowds and to have time to study the Caravaggio and the richly carved Baroque vaults.
Weather & Climate near Saint John's Co-Cathedral
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 10°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (520 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Very Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Very Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 12° - 20° | 16° | 21 mm | some cloud | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 16° - 24° | 20° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.9h |
| June | Ideal | 19° - 28° | 24° | 2 mm | clear | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.4h |
| July | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.1h |
| August | Ideal | 23° - 31° | 27° | 5 mm | clear | 75% | 3.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.3h |
| September | Ideal | 21° - 28° | 25° | 43 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 3.4 m/s | 1.5 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 18° - 25° | 21° | 76 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 14° - 21° | 18° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
How to Get to Saint John's Co-Cathedral
Located in Valletta’s city centre near St. John’s Square. From Valletta Bus Terminus it is a 5-8 minute walk (about 400 m). Taxi drop-off is available on Republic Street nearby.
Tips for Visiting Saint John's Co-Cathedral
- Queue early to enter the oratory and Caravaggio's famous painting before the late-morning tour groups arrive.
- Look down as well as up: the worn flagstones in the nave show centuries of foot traffic, and there are subtle scorch marks from candle votives near side chapels.
- Buy the combined ticket that includes the Treasury - the goldwork and knights' armorials reward a second, quieter pass.