2. The chapel of of the Anglo-Bavarian Langue and entrance
to the crypt of the Grand Masters
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 the St Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan and renowned reformer of the catholic faith. The altar piece represents the saint being presented to the Virgin Mary. It is a fine expression of the refined Roman classical trend of the late 18th century. The elegant design of the altar, made from fine polychrome marble, is also a typical expression of the high baroque style.
On top of the altar is an exquisite bronze gilt crucifix, which comes from the workshop of Alessandro Algardi, a renowned Roman sculptor.
The gilt-stone altar reredos is a fine example of high baroque sculpture and displays the accomplished standards of Maltese stone carvers. It was made during the reign of Grand Master Lascaris, whose coat of arms it bears. The reredos was adapted to hold two important and rare caskets containing the relics of saints.
Originally, all the relics had their own reliquaries, but these were removed during the French occupation in 1798. Relics were very important during the time of the knights as they represented the blood of the martyrs and drew great devotion towards the church in which they were kept.
The bronze gate, surmounted on a marble balustrade, once belonged to the chapel of Philermos where it served as an iconostasis.
Beyond this chapel, and beneath the sanctuary, is the crypt of the Grand Masters. The first twelve Grand Masters who reigned in Malta are buried here. The tomb of Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere, during whose reign the church was built, is symbolically placed immediately beneath the high altar.