St Johns Co-Cathedral

St John's Co-Cathedral is devoted to the patron saint of the Knights of Malta - John the Baptist. It embraces intricate sculpting on the ceilings, walls, and floors and works of marble, silver, gold, & bronze. It is a fine example of Baroque architecture with an ornate marble floor.

It is a richly embellished place of worship established in 1578. Over the past centuries, each grand master and many knights dedicated high-valued artistic gifts and made massive contributions to adorn the church with some best works of art.

Grand Master Jean de la Cassière ordered the construction of St John's Co-Cathedral as the monastic church of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller of St John. It was constructed by the architect Glormu Cassar from 1573 to 1578. Remarkably, the Bishop of Malta, who was seated in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina in 1820, adjudged that the glory & privilege of the main church of the bishop should be shared between the cathedrals. That is when the St. John’s Cathedral became apparent as St John’s Co-Cathedral. However, the Foundation either stumbles or confines the number of visitors entering the Co-Cathedral at a time to prevent congestion that can cause harm to the structure