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{{short description|Catholic co-cathedral in Malta}}
{{Travel guide|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox church
| name = St John's Co-Cathedral
| native_name = Kon-Katidral ta' San Ġwann
| native_name_lang = mt
| image = St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta 001.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Façade of St John's Co-Cathedral in 2020
| coordinates = {{coord|35|53|52|N|14|30|46|E|display=inline,title}}
| ___location = [[Valletta]]
| country = [[Malta]]
| denomination = [[Catholic Church]]
| sui iuris church = [[Latin Church]]
| website = [http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/ www.stjohnscocathedral.com]
| former name = Conventual Church of St. John<br> ''The Major Conventual and Parochial Church of the Jerosolymitan Order dedicated to St John the Baptist''<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bonnici|first=Arthuro|date=20 June 1978|title=St John Co-Cathedral - History and Consecration|url=http://mhs.eu.pn/cm/bonnici.html|page=41|publisher=The Malta Historical Society|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421172926/http://mhs.eu.pn/cm/bonnici.html}}</ref>
| founder = [[Jean de la Cassière]]
| dedication = [[John the Baptist]]
| dedicated date =
| consecrated date = 20 February 1578
| cult =
| relics =
| events =
| past bishop =
| people =
| status = [[Co-cathedral]]
| functional status =
| heritage designation = Grade 1
| designated date = 2008
| architect = [[Girolamo Cassar]]
| architectural type = [[Church (building)|Church]]
| style = [[Renaissance architecture#Mannerism|Mannerist]] (exterior)<br>[[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] (interior)
| years built =
| groundbreaking = 1572
| completed date = 1577
| construction cost =
| capacity =
| length = {{convert|65|m|ft}}
| width = {{convert|40|m|ft}}
| width nave = {{convert|20|m|ft}}
| height = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| other dimensions =
| floor count =
| floor area = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| spire quantity =
| spire height = <!-- {{convert| }} -->
| materials = [[Limestone]]
| bells =
| bells hung =
| bell weight = <!-- {{long ton|0| }} -->
| parish =
| deanery =
| archdeaconry =
| episcopalarea =
| archdiocese = [[Archdiocese of Malta]]
| metropolis =
| diocese =
| province =
| presbytery =
| synod =
| circuit =
| district =
| division =
| subdivision =
| archbishop = [[Charles Scicluna]]
| bishop =
| abbot =
| prior =
| subprior =
| vicar =
| exarch =
| provost-rector =
| provost =
| viceprovost =
| rector = Paul Carmel Vella
| dean =
| subdean =
| archpriest =
| precentor =
| succentor =
| chancellor =
| canonchancellor =
| canon =
| canonpastor =
| canonmissioner =
| canontreasurer =
| prebendary =
| priestincharge =
| priest =
| asstpriest =
| honpriest =
| curate =
| asstcurate =
| minister =
| assistant =
| seniorpastor =
| pastor =
| chaplain =
| archdeacon =
| deacon =
| reader =
| student intern =
| organistdom =
| director =
| assistantorganist =
| elder =
| organist =
| organscholar =
| chapterclerk =
| laychapter =
| warden =
| verger =
| businessmgr =
| liturgycoord =
| reledu =
| rcia =
| youthmin =
| flowerguild =
| musicgroup =
| parishadmin =
| serversguild =
| logo = St. John's Co-Cathedral logo.png
| logosize = 150px
| logolink =
| logoalt =
| embedded =
}}
'''St John's Co-Cathedral''' ({{langx|mt|Kon-Katidral ta' San Ġwann}}) is a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[co-cathedral]] in [[Valletta]], [[Malta]], dedicated to Saint [[John the Baptist]]. It was built by the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of St. John]] between 1573 and 1578,<ref>{{Cite web |title=St John's Co-Cathedral {{!}} Valletta in Malta {{!}} Attractions - Lonely Planet |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/malta/valletta/attractions/st-john-s-co-cathedral/a/poi-sig/447321/360142 |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=[[lonely planet]] |at= |language=en}}</ref> having been commissioned by Grand Master [[Jean de la Cassière]] as the '''Conventual Church of Saint John''' ({{langx|mt|Knisja Konventwali ta' San Ġwann}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-27 |title=St. John's Co-Cathedral: Visiting the gem of Valletta |url=https://www.maltaculture.com/places-museums-attractions/st-johns-co-cathedral/ |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=MaltaCulture.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
The church was designed by the [[Maltese people|Maltese]] architect [[Girolamo Cassar]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-12 |title=St John's Co-Cathedral |url=https://culturemalta.org/st-johns-co-cathedral/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217032054/https://culturemalta.org/st-johns-co-cathedral/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=December 17, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=CultureMalta |language=en-US}}</ref> who designed several of the more prominent buildings in Valletta. In the 17th century, its interior was redecorated in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style by [[Mattia Preti]] and other artists. The interior of the church is considered to be one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe.<ref name="academia">{{cite book|last1=Degiorgio|first1=Stephen|title=I Cavalieri di Malta e Caravaggio : la storia, gli artisti, i committenti|chapter=Palaces and Lodgings of the Knights of St John at Malta|___location=[[Rome]]|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/kkumulilchiannun008800/page/220|publisher=Logart Press|date=2010|pages=[https://archive.org/details/kkumulilchiannun008800/page/220 220–228]|oclc=887115351|isbn=978-88-87666-15-1|chapter-url-access=registration}}</ref>
==History==
[[File:Valletta St.John's Co-Cathedral, 1870s.jpg|thumb|left|The co-cathedral in the 1870s]]
Following the [[Great Siege of Malta|Great Siege of 1565]], St. John's Co-Cathedral was commissioned in 1572 by [[Jean de la Cassière]], [[List of Princes and Grand Masters of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Grand Master]] of the [[Knights Hospitaller|Order of St. John]].<ref name="restoration">{{cite news|title=Restoration work on central part of façade of St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta complete|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-09-04/local-news/Restoration-work-on-central-part-of-facade-of-St-John-s-Co-Cathedral-in-Valletta-complete-6736141610|newspaper=[[The Malta Independent]]|date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314011159/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-09-04/local-news/Restoration-work-on-central-part-of-facade-of-St-John-s-Co-Cathedral-in-Valletta-complete-6736141610|archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="St Lawrence Collegiate Church">{{cite web|last1=Micallef|first1=Mark|title=St Lawrence Collegiate Church|url=http://www.orderofmalta-malta.org.mt/panoramas/stlawrencechurch/mainstlawrence.htm|website=Maltese Association of the SMOM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040643/http://www.orderofmalta-malta.org.mt/panoramas/stlawrencechurch/mainstlawrence.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|date=2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Eiland |first=Murray |date=2013 |title=A Snapshot of Malta |url=https://www.academia.edu/8013398 |journal=The Armiger's News |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=2, 11 |via=academia.edu |archive-date=2023-03-26 |access-date=2022-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025425/https://www.academia.edu/8013398 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was initially named, in the Italian common language of the time, as ''Chiesa Conventuale di San Giovanni Battista''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=onxb8mja88kC&dq=torre+isola+Malta&pg=PA342 Malta illustrata ovvero Descrizione di Malta]. p. 342.</ref> The church was designed by the Maltese architect [[Girolamo Cassar]], who also designed and oversaw the construction of many important buildings in Valletta.<ref name="restoration"/><ref name="St Lawrence Collegiate Church"/> It is held that Cassar went to [[Rhodes]] to bring a plan of an already existing church that was by then converted to a mosque, to use it as a model for the present co-cathedral. However, Cassar still took decisions over the final design and made modifications, and thus became the sole architect of the co-cathedral.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cassar Pullicino|first1=Joseph|title=The Order of St. John in Maltese folk-memory|journal=Scientia|date=October–December 1949|volume=15|issue=4|page=155|url=http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2015(1949)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417173522/http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Scientia%20(Malta)/Scientia.%2015(1949)4(Oct.-Dec.)/01.pdf|archive-date=17 April 2016}}</ref> Once St. John's was completed in 1577, it became the new [[convent]]ual church of the Order instead of [[St. Lawrence's Church, Vittoriosa|St. Lawrence's Church]] in the Order's former headquarters [[Birgu]].<ref name="St Lawrence Collegiate Church"/> Construction of the oratory and sacristy began in 1598, during the magistracy of [[Martin Garzez]], and they were completed by Grand Master [[Alof de Wignacourt]] in 1604.<ref name="heritage5-6">{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=5–6}}</ref>
For the first century of its existence, the church's interior was modestly decorated. However, in the 1660s, Grand Master [[Raphael Cotoner]] ordered the redecoration of the interior so as to rival the churches of [[Rome]]. Calabrian artist [[Mattia Preti]] was in charge of the embellishment, and effectively completely transformed the interior in the [[Baroque]] style.<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=History of St John's – A Legacy of the Knights of Malta|url=http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/history-of-st-johns.html|website=St. John's Co-Cathedral|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040605/http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/history-of-st-johns.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> The annexes on the side of the cathedral were added later and feature the coat of arms of Grand Master [[António Manoel de Vilhena]] who reigned from 1722 to 1736.<ref name="heritage5-6"/>
St. John's remained the conventual church of the Order until the latter was expelled from Malta with the [[French occupation of Malta|French occupation]] in 1798.<ref name="history"/> Over time, the church grew to equal prominence with the archbishop's [[St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina|cathedral]] at [[Mdina]]. In the 1820s, the Bishop of Malta was allowed to use St John's as an alternative see and it thus formally became a [[co-cathedral]].<ref name="vallettapianofest">{{cite web|title=St John's Cathedral|url=http://www.vallettapianofest.com/-stjohn-co-caphedral.html|website=Valletta International Piano Festival|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922174339/http://www.vallettapianofest.com/-stjohn-co-caphedral.html|archive-date=22 September 2015}}</ref>
In 1831, Sir [[Walter Scott]] called the cathedral a "magnificent church, the most striking interior [he had] ever seen."<ref name="vallettapianofest"/> In the mid-19th century, [[Giuseppe Hyzler]], a leader of the [[Nazarene movement]], removed some of the Baroque art of the cathedral, including the ornate altar in the Chapel of the Langue of France.<ref name="nicpmi"/>
The cathedral's exterior was slightly damaged by aerial bombardment in 1941, during [[World War II]], barely escaping total destruction. The contents of the cathedral had been transferred elsewhere before the bombardment, so no works of art were lost.<ref name="restoration"/><ref name="history"/>
[[File:St. John's Co-Cathedral.JPG|thumb|The façade of St. John's Co-Cathedral being restored in 2014]]
The cathedral was restored between the late 1980s and the early 1990s. In 2001, the St. John's Co-Cathedral Foundation was set up to administer and conserve the cathedral and its museum. The sides of the cathedral were restored between 2008 and 2010, and a complete restoration of the exterior began in July 2014 directed by architect Jean Frendo and eight restorers. Restoration of the central part of the façade was completed in September 2015<ref>{{cite news|title=Restoration work on central part of façade of St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta complete|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-09-04/local-news/Restoration-work-on-central-part-of-facade-of-St-John-s-Co-Cathedral-in-Valletta-complete-6736141610|work=[[The Malta Independent]]|date=4 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016161333/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-09-04/local-news/Restoration-work-on-central-part-of-facade-of-St-John-s-Co-Cathedral-in-Valletta-complete-6736141610|archive-date=16 October 2015}}</ref> and project completion was expected in 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chetcuti|first1=Kristina|title=Co-cathedral's restoration will start in September|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140724/local/co-cathedrals-restoration-will-start-in-september.528999|work=[[Times of Malta]]|date=24 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727061420/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140724/local/co-cathedrals-restoration-will-start-in-september.528999|archive-date=27 July 2014}}</ref>
Today, the cathedral is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Malta,<ref name="history"/> and is listed on the [[National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]].<ref name="nicpmi">{{cite web|title=St.John's Co-Cathedral|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/01130.pdf|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|date=28 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230954/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/01130.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
==Exterior==
The cathedral's exterior is built in the [[Renaissance architecture#Mannerism|Mannerist]] style typical of its architect [[Girolamo Cassar]]. Its façade is rather plain but well-proportioned, being bounded by two large [[bell tower]]s.<ref name="academia"/> The doorway is flanked by [[Doric order|Doric]] columns supporting an open balcony from which the Grand Master used to address the people on important occasions.<ref name="heritage5-6"/> On the side are also two empty niches.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zerafa|first=Thomas|title=Empty Niches|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160124/letters/Empty-niches.599856|date=24 January 2016|newspaper=[[Times of Malta]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125082038/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160124/letters/Empty-niches.599856|archive-date=25 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="john">{{cite news|last=Camilleri-Brennan|first=John|title=Statues for empty niches on St John's façade|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040411/opinion/statues-for-empty-niches-on-st-johns-fa-ccedil-ade.125602|date=11 April 2014|newspaper=[[Times of Malta]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025071310/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040411/opinion/statues-for-empty-niches-on-st-johns-fa-ccedil-ade.125602|archive-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> The niches and the columns are a break with the rest of exterior Mannerist architecture.<ref>Hughes, J. Quentin (1953). [http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Melita%20Historica/MH.01(1952-55)/MH.1(1953)2/orig05.pdf The Influence of Italian Mannerism Upon Maltese Architecture]. ''Melitensiawath''. Retrieved 8 July 2016. p. 107-108.</ref><ref name="john"/>
Overall, the exterior is rather austere and reminiscent of a fortress,<ref>{{cite book|last=Partel|first=Francis J.|date=2011|title=The Chess Players, a Novel of the Cold War at Sea|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5NYBiLaTD3MC&q=baroque+architecture+in+merchant+street+valletta&pg=PA287|publisher=Navy Log LLC|isbn=9780615414515|page=287}}</ref> reflecting both Cassar's style as a military engineer as well as the Order's mood in the years following the [[Great Siege of Malta]] in 1565.<ref name="history"/><ref name="restoration"/>
== Interior ==
[[File:St Johns Co-Cathedral Main Altar.JPG|thumb|Main altar]]
[[File:Ledger stones of St. John's Co-Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Some of the many marble [[Ledger stone|ledger stones]] on the floor of the cathedral]]
The cathedral's interior is extremely ornate, standing in sharp contrast with the façade. The interior was largely decorated by [[Mattia Preti]], the Calabrian artist and knight, at the height of the [[Baroque]] period. Preti designed the intricate carved stone walls and painted the vaulted ceiling and side altars with scenes from the life of [[John the Baptist]]. The figures painted into the ceiling next to each column initially appear to the viewer as three-dimensional statues, but on closer inspection we see that the artist cleverly created an illusion of three-dimensionality by his use of shadows and placement. Also noteworthy is the fact that the carving was all undertaken in-place (in-situ) rather than being carved independently and then attached to the walls (stucco). The Maltese limestone from which the cathedral is built lends itself particularly well to such intricate carving. The whole marble floor is an entire series of tombs, housing about 400 Knights and officers of the Order.<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|p=15}}</ref> There is also a [[crypt]] containing the tombs of [[List of Princes and Grand Masters of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta|Grand Masters]] like [[Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam]], [[Claude de la Sengle]], [[Jean Parisot de Valette]], and [[Alof de Wignacourt]].
[[File:Malta, St John's Pro-Cathedral.jpg|thumb|left|The Nave]]
In 1666, a project for the main altar by Malta's greatest sculptor, [[Melchiorre Cafà]], was approved and begun. Cafà intended a large sculpture group in [[bronze]] depicting the ''[[Baptism of Christ]]''. Following Cafà's tragic death in 1667 in a foundry accident while tending to this work in Rome, the plans were abandoned. Only in 1703, [[Giuseppe Mazzuoli (1644–1725)|Giuseppe Mazzuoli]], Cafà's only pupil, finished a marble group of the ''Baptism of Christ'' which might have been influenced by his master's undocumented designs but certainly is strongly dependent on a small baptism group by [[Alessandro Algardi]].<ref>cf. *Keith Sciberras, ''Melchiorre Cafà's'' Baptism of Christ ''for the Knights of the Order of Malta'', in: Keith Sciberras (Ed.), ''Melchiorre Cafà. Maltese Genius of the Roman Baroque'', Valletta 2006, pp. 97-112.</ref>
The funerary monument of Grand Master [[Marc'Antonio Zondadari]] (died 1722), nephew of [[Pope Alexander VII]], is located close to the main entrance. It was originally meant to be installed in the Chapel of the Langue of Italy, but it was too large so it was placed in the nave.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cini|first1=George|title=When the Knights splashed out on Baroque sculptures|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040405/local/when-the-knights-splashed-out-on-baroque-sculptures.126004|work=[[Times of Malta]]|date=5 April 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313195055/http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20040405/local/when-the-knights-splashed-out-on-baroque-sculptures.126004|archive-date=13 March 2016}}</ref>
===Chapels===
[[File:Co-Cath - Chapel.jpg|thumb|Chapel of the Langue of Aragon]]
The cathedral contains nine chapels, one dedicated to Our Lady of Philermos and the rest dedicated to the patron saints of each of the Order's eight [[Langue (Knights Hospitaller)|langues]] (or divisions). The following chapels are located on the south side of the church:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/archivesbibliot00latrgoog/archivesbibliot00latrgoog_djvu.txt|title=Archives, bibliothèque et inscriptions de Malte|year=1857|publisher=Imprimerie Impériale}}</ref>
*Chapel of [[Our Lady of Philermos]], also known as the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament – originally contained an icon of Our Lady of Philermos, which had been in the possession of the Order since the [[Crusades]]. The icon was taken to Russia by Grand Master [[Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim]] when the Order was expelled from Malta in 1798,<ref>Nicholson, Helen J. (2001). [https://books.google.com/books?id=oGppfVJMKjsC&q=Spinola&pg=PA139 The Knights Hospitaller]. Boydell & Brewel. p. 139. {{ISBN|0851158455}}, {{ISBN|9780851158457}}.</ref> and it is now found at the [[National Museum of Montenegro]].<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|p=21}}</ref><ref name="morana">{{cite book|last1=Morana|first1=Martin|title=Bejn Kliem u Storja|date=2011|publisher=Books Distributors Limited|___location=[[Malta]]|isbn=978-99957-0137-6|url=https://sites.google.com/site/kliemustorja/home/titlu/introduzzjoni/dwar-l-awtur/a/b/c/c/d/e/f|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020104814/https://sites.google.com/site/kliemustorja/home/titlu/introduzzjoni/dwar-l-awtur/a/b/c/c/d/e/f|archive-date=20 October 2016|language=mt}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of Auvergne – dedicated to [[Saint Sebastian]]. Its altarpiece depicts the saint's martyrdom, and dates back to the 17th century. The chapel contains the funerary monument of Grand Master [[Annet de Clermont-Gessant]] (died 1660).<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|p=22}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of Aragon – dedicated to [[Saint George]]. Its altarpiece is ''[[Saint George on Horseback]]'', and it is considered to be one of [[Mattia Preti]]'s masterpieces. Grand Masters [[Martin de Redin]] (died 1660), [[Raphael Cotoner]] (died 1663), [[Nicolas Cotoner]] (died 1680) and [[Ramon Perellos y Roccaful]] (died 1720) are buried in funerary monuments in this chapel.<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=25–26}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of Castile, Leon and Portugal – dedicated to [[James, son of Zebedee|Saint James]]. Its altarpiece depicts the saint in an aesthetically pleasing manner, and it is the work of Mattia Preti. Grand Masters [[António Manoel de Vilhena]] (died 1736) and [[Manuel Pinto da Fonseca]] (died 1773) are buried in ornate marble funerary monuments in this chapel.<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=26–28}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Cutajar|first=Dominic|date=1999|title=History and Works of art of St. John's Church Valletta - Malta|url=http://www.owenwebhosting.com/owd/photocity/mjpublishers/pics/4.jpg|publisher=M. J. Publications|edition=3|page=64|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701045043/http://www.owenwebhosting.com/owd/photocity/mjpublishers/pics/4.jpg|archive-date=1 July 2017|isbn=978-9990990003}}</ref>
[[File:Malta-Valletta-StJohnChapel.jpg|thumb|left|Chapel of the Langue of Italy]]
On the north side of the church, one finds the following chapels:
*Chapel of the Anglo-Bavarian Langue, also known as the Chapel of Relics – dedicated to Saint [[Charles Borromeo]]. Its altarpiece depicts the presentation of the saint to the Virgin Mary, and it is attributed to Beaumont. The chapel originally contained many relics that the Order acquired through the centuries, but these were removed in 1798.<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|p=28}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of Provence – dedicated to [[Michael (archangel)|Saint Michael the Archangel]]. Its altarpiece depicts the archangel leading God's armies against Satan, and it also contains marble funerary monuments of Grand Masters [[Antoine de Paule]] (died 1636) and [[Giovanni Paolo Lascaris]] (died 1657).<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=28–30}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of France – dedicated to the [[Conversion of Paul the Apostle|Conversion]] of [[Paul the Apostle|Saint Paul]]. Its altarpiece depicts ''The Conversion of St Paul on the Way to Damascus'', and it is the work of Mattia Preti. The chapel also contains the funerary monuments of Grand Masters [[Adrien de Wignacourt]] (died 1697) and [[Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc]] (died 1797), as well as the Marquis de Wignacourt (died 1615) and [[Louis Charles, Count of Beaujolais]] (died 1808). Parts of the chapel were redecorated in the late 1830s.<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=30–35}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of Italy – dedicated to the [[Immaculate Conception]] and Saint [[Catherine of Alexandria]]. Its altarpiece depicts ''The Mystic Marriage of St Catherine'', and it is the work of Mattia Preti. The chapel also contains the funerary monument of Grand Master [[Gregorio Carafa]] (died 1690).<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=35–39}}</ref>
*Chapel of the Langue of Germany – dedicated to the [[Epiphany (holiday)|Epiphany]] of Christ. The chapel was originally assigned to the langue of England, but was given to the langue of Germany following the [[English Reformation]]. Its altarpiece depicts ''The Adoration of the Magi'' by the Maltese painter [[Stefano Erardi]].<ref>{{harvnb|de Giorgio|2007|pp=39–40}}</ref>
===Notable works of art===
[[File:Michelangelo Caravaggio 021.jpg|thumb|''[[The Beheading of St John the Baptist (Caravaggio)|The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist]]'', 1608. Oil on canvas, 361 x 520 cm. Oratory of the co-cathedral]]
The painting depicting ''[[The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (Caravaggio)|The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist]]'' (1608) by [[Caravaggio]] (1571–1610) is the most famous work in the church. Considered one of Caravaggio's masterpieces, the largest canvas he painted and the only painting signed by the painter, the canvas is displayed in the Oratory for which it was painted. Restored in the late 1990s in Florence, this painting is one of Caravaggio's most impressive uses of the [[chiaroscuro]] style for which he is most famous with a circle of light illuminating the scene of St John's beheading at the request of Salome. The oratory also houses Caravaggio's ''[[Saint Jerome Writing (Caravaggio, Valletta)|Saint Jerome Writing]]'' (1607–1608).
[[File:Nicola Cottoner - The Chapel of Aragon.JPG|thumb|left|Monument to Grand Master [[Nicolas Cotoner]] by Domenico Guidi, at the Chapel of Aragon.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sciberras|first=Keith|date=2004|title=Roman baroque sculpture for the Knights of Malta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UpDqAAAAMAAJ&q=+Monument+Nicolas+Cottoner|publisher=Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti|___location=Valletta|pages=190–207|isbn=9789993210290|oclc=470011305}}</ref>]]
Another impressive feature of the church is the collection of marble [[tombstones]] in the nave in which were buried important knights. The more important knights were placed closer to the front of the church. These tombstones, richly decorated with in-laid marble and with the coats of arms of the knight buried below as well as images relevant to that knight, often telling a story of triumph in battle, form a rich visual display in the church.
Adjoining to the church is the St John's Co-Cathedral Museum containing art objects. Among the contents of the museum there are the Flemish Tapestries designed by [[Peter Paul Rubens]], which were donated by Grand Master [[Ramon Perellos y Roccaful]],<ref>Saddall, Henry (1870). [https://books.google.com/books?id=11pKAAAAYAAJ&dq=perellos&pg=PA141 "History of Malta"]. ''Malta: Past and Present: Being a History of Malta from the Days of the Phoenicians to the Present Time''. Chapman and Hall. p. 142.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Flemish Tapestries|url=http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/the-collections/flemish-tapestries.html|website=St. John's Co-Cathedral|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124731/http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/the-collections/flemish-tapestries.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> paintings of Grand Masters [[Jean de la Cassière]], [[Nicolas Cotoner]] and [[Manuel Pinto da Fonseca]], and paintings which were formerly in the side chapels such as ''St. George killing the Dragon'' by [[Francesco Potenzano]].
==Visiting==
[[File:Malta - Valletta - Triq ir-Repubblika - Misrah l-Assedju l-Kbir - St. John's 01 ies.jpg|thumb|Visitors' entrance to the co-cathedral]]
St. John's Co-Cathedral is located in the centre of Valletta, and it is a short walk away from the bus terminus near [[City Gate (Valletta)|City Gate]]. The main entrance of the cathedral is in [[St John's Square]], but the visitors' entrance is from Great Siege Square in Republic Street, facing the [[Courts of Justice building (Valletta)|Law Courts]].<ref>{{cite web|title=How to find us|url=http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/visitor-information/how-to-find-us.html|website=St. John's Co-Cathedral|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307031418/http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/visitor-information/how-to-find-us.html|archive-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>
Fees are charged for visitors, but those visiting the cathedral for Mass only do not have to pay the entrance fee.<ref name="visitor-information">{{cite web|title=Visitor information – Opening times and fees|url=http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/visitor-information.html|website=St. John's Co-Cathedral|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128131149/http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/visitor-information.html|archive-date=28 January 2016}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|Catholicism|History|Malta}}
*[[Culture of Malta]]
*[[History of Malta]]
*[[List of churches in Malta]]
*[[List of works by James Pradier]]
*[[Religion in Malta]]
==Further reading==
*[http://melitensiawth.com/incoming/Index/Melita%20Historica/MH.02(1956-59)/MH.2(1956)1/orig02.pdf The genesis of St. John's, Valletta and a new interpretation of Bramante's design for St. Peter's, Rome]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=RaxAAAAAcAAJ List and details of burials]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170807130159/https://www.etenders.gov.mt/epps/cft/downloadContractDocument.do?documentId=3750117&resourceId=yes Piazza, opposite buildings and arcades]
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last1=de Giorgio|first1=Cynthia|title=St John's Co-Cathedral – Valletta|date=2007|publisher=Heritage Books (subsidiary of Midsea Books Ltd)|___location=[[Santa Venera]]|isbn=9789993271710}}
*Sante Guido, Giuseppe Mantella, "Mattia Preti e la volta della Chiesa Conventuale di San Giovanni Battista a La Valletta: documenti e testimonianze 1661-2011 per il 350º anniversario dell'inizio lavori" in I BENI CULTURALI, v. XIX - 3, n. 3 maggio-giugno 2011 (2011), p. 7-28.
*Sante Guido, Giuseppe Mantella, ''STORIE DI RESTAURI NELLA CHIESA CONVENTUALE DI SAN GIOVANNI A LA VALLETTA. La cappella di santa Caterina della Lingua d'Italia e le committenze del gran maestro Gregorio Carafa'', Malta, MidseaBooks, 2008, 494 p. - {{ISBN|978-99932-7-202-1}}.
*Sante Guido, Giuseppe Mantella, "Restauri e riscoperte di scultura del barocco romana a Malta. Capolavori per l'Ordine dei cavalieri di san Giovanni.", Malta, Midsea Books LTD, 2005, 144 p. - {{ISBN|99932-7-046-6}}.
*Sante Guido, Giuseppe Mantella, "Il restauro del Reliquiario del Braccio di San Giovanni Battista nella Co-Cattedrale di La Valletta" in BOLLETTINO ICR, n.s., v. 2003 - 6–7, n. 6-7 gennaio-dicembre 2003 (2003), p. 33-49.
{{Refend}}
== External links ==
{{commons category|St. John's Co-Cathedral}}
* {{official website|url=http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com}}
* [http://www.maltain360.com/default.aspx?reference=110008754 maltain360.com - 360° view of St John's Co-Cathedral]
The bells of St. John's Co Cathedral at Valletta:
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kkiHXM4BYE The 2 Bells Ringing Instant a Peal] Those 2 bells is 3rd bell (SI2) and big bell (SOL2) of this cathedral. The mass of big bell is 7000 kg and is 3rd great bell of Malta.
{{Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}
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