St. John's Co-Cathedral
Kon-Katidral ta' San Ġwann
A plain-looking Knights' church with a dazzling Baroque interior, home to Caravaggio's largest painting, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
Kon-Katidral ta' San Ġwann was built between 1573 and 1578 as the conventual church of the Order of St John. Its exterior is austere and military in style, but in the 17th century the painter Mattia Preti transformed the interior into an extravagant Baroque space. The vault is covered with frescoes of the life of St John, the walls are carved and gilded, and the floor is made up of about 400 colourful marble tombstones marking the graves of past Knights. Along the sides are chapels arranged by the Order's 'langues' (national groupings). In the oratory hangs Caravaggio's The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, painted in 1608. It is the only work he ever signed and his largest painting. The same room also holds St Jerome Writing. Admission is about €15 including an audio guide, and the church is closed on Sundays and religious holidays. Dress modestly, and stiletto heels are not allowed because they would damage the marble floor. Rules on photography inside vary, so check on site.
Opening hours
Mon–Sat about 09:00–16:45 (last entry about 16:00); closed Sun and public holidays
Nearby sights
- Valletta
- Grandmaster's Palace
- Upper Barrakka Gardens & Saluting Battery
- Lascaris War Rooms
- Fort St. Elmo & National War Museum
- Fort St. Angelo
- Birgu (Vittoriosa) & the Three Cities
- Sliema & Tigné Point