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Visitors are admitted to the church and museum from this entrance via Valletta’s principle thoroughfare, Republic Street. This is where the ticket office is located and staff are available to offer assistance.
This chapel was once known as the Shrine of the Holy Relics. It wasn’t until late in the 18th century that it became the Chapel of the Langue of England and Bavaria and dedicated to St Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan and renowned reformer of the catholic faith.
In effect, this is the first chapel on the left side. Although the altar itself was renewed in white marble by the prior of the church, Merchior Alpheran de Bussan (1713-1734) in 1732, the altar faade with its four twisted columns has been preserved from the late 1620s.
The chapel of the Langue of France was dedicated, by Grand Master La Cassiere himself, to the Conversion of the Great Apostle St Paul. The entire chapel was profusely decorated with rich sculptural motifs and gilded during the 1660 redecoration of the church and then underwent further redecoration during the nineteenth century.
The Chapel of the Langue of Italy is dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of the Italian Knights.
This passageway take visitors from the Republic Street entrance to the main nave.
The chapel of the Langue of Germany was dedicated to the Epiphany and included knights not only from Germany but also from Austria, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. The paintings hanging in this chapel are the work of the Maltese artist Stefano Erardi and date to the late 17th century. The altarpiece depicts the Adoration of the Magi (the moment when, according to the Bible, the three wise men from the East came to Jerusalem guided by a bright star to the place of Christ’s birth).
This passage leads to the Sacristy from the main nave.
The main sacristy of St Johns was originally built in 1598 and subsequently added to; its coffered vault gives one an idea of the original appearance of the vault of St Johns itself before the Preti transformation in 1661.
The interior of the Sacristy was renovated in 1758 under Grand Master Pinto (1741-1773).
The nave is 53 metres in length and 15 metres wide, with side chapels on either side. These chapels were assigned to the various langues according to seniority. The French, Italian and Aragonese langues being predominant were placed closest to the altar. The entire floor is covered with marble tombstones, beneath which, some of the most illustrious Knights of the Order are laid to rest.
This area is a sacred place and is the focal point of the church as it holds the High Altar. It has been enriched with several gifts from Grand Masters and Knights alike.
This chapel was one of the most important chapels for the Knights as this is where the icon of the Madonna of Philermos was kept. This icon drew great devotion as it was believed to be miraculous and had been in the possession of the Order since the Knights were in Jerusalem. Before battle this were the Knights prayed and when victorious the key of the fortresses captured would be presented to the Virgin where they still hang to this day. Amongst them are the keys of the castles of Lepanto and Patras.
The chapel of the Langue of Auvernge is dedicated to St Sebastian and shares with the chapel of the Langue of Provence the distinction of having the oldest surviving altar-façade in St John’s. Its twisted columns for a time had become popular, after Bernini had designed the baldacchino of the Vatican basilica in 1624. The altarpiece depicts the martyrdom of St Sebastian.
This is one of the most magnificent and richly embellished chapels in the church. It is dedicated to St George, the patron saint of the Aragonese Knights. The altarpiece of this chapel is not only Mattia Preti’s first work in this church but also one of the most outstanding. It was commissioned by Grand master Martin de Redin in 1659 and depicts St George riding a white stallion, having just slain the dragon.
More marble tombstones are found in the passage to the bookshop. Amongst the several personalities commemorated in this area lies Fra Jacques de Vivieu Puppettieres who died in 1608. His is the oldest marble tombstone in St John's.
This chapel is dedicated to St. James, the patron saint of Spain. The altar piece, by Mattia Preti, depicts St. James wearing a scallop shell on his chest, an attribute of pilgrims who visit his shrine. There are two Grand Masters buried in this chapel, the Portuguese nobleman Grand Master Anton Manoel de Vilhena (who reigned from 1722 to 1736) and Grand Master Pinto (who reigned from 1741 to 1773).
This passage leads from the main nave to the oratory.
The Oratory was built between 1602 and 1605 as a place of devotion for the young novices. The reigning Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt was looking for an artist to embellish the conventual church and to produce a painting for the young novices to meditate on.
The entrance to the Museum is home to the monumental bronze sculpture of Christ the Saviour. It was commissioned from Alessandro Algardi, the famous Bolognese sculptor, working in Rome.
Some of the Flemish tapestries at St Johns Co-Cathedral, the largest complete series in the world, are on display in the Perellos Hall. More of these tapestries are exhibited in the Vestments Hall and the Ciro Ferri Hall.
The choral books are housed here in Ciro Ferri Hall. These illuminated manuscripts relate to the early part of the knights’ stay in Malta and are by far the most beautifully executed illuminated choral books on the island. There are three sets - all gifts of various Grand Masters.
This is where the sacred vestments, which various Grand Masters donated to their conventual church, are displayed. They are made out of silk satin and profusely embroidered with multicoloured silk yarns often using gold and silver threads. More of the Flemish tapestries are also displayed in this hall.
Various paintings are on display in the picture gallery, including one depicting St John baptising Christ by Matteo Perez d’Aleccio and a portrait of Grand Master Emmanuel Pinto de Fonseca by Antoine Favray.
The book shop stocks a wide variety of books related to St John’s Co-Cathedral, the history of Malta, the Knights of Malta and art as well as tourist guide books for St John’s and the Maltese islands in general. The shop also sells tourist related DVDs, postcards, souvenirs, posters, CDs of sacred music and maps.
This hall is only used at specific times during an exhibition. Look out for any coming exhibitions on our news and events section.
