St John’s Co-Cathedral’s Caravaggio Wing Wins Prestigious Museums + Heritage Award

Historic achievement marks first-ever Museums + Heritage Award win for a Maltese institution

St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation is proud to announce that the Caravaggio Wing at St John’s Co-Cathedral has won the Best Use of Digital – International category at the 24th annual Museums + Heritage Awards, one of the most respected accolades in the global museum and heritage sector.

The win marks what is believed to be the first time a Maltese institution has received a Museums + Heritage Award, placing Malta firmly on the international cultural map alongside some of the world’s leading museums, galleries, and heritage attractions.

Recognised for its innovative and immersive visitor experience, the Caravaggio Wing transforms how audiences engage with The Beheading of St John the Baptist, one of art history’s most celebrated masterpieces. Through cinematic storytelling, immersive projections, and interactive digital interpretation exploring Caravaggio’s dramatic time in Malta, the wing has redefined the visitor experience at the Cathedral.

Since opening, the Caravaggio Wing has welcomed an estimated 2.3 million visitors annually, with 95% engaging with the Caravaggio section and visitors spending an average of 45 minutes in the experience — demonstrating a level of engagement far beyond a traditional cathedral visit. The wing also supports more than 50,000 learners each year through dedicated educational programmes. The Museums + Heritage Awards are organised annually by Altair Media Ltd and celebrate excellence and innovation across the international museum, gallery, and heritage sectors. This year’s winners were selected by an independent panel of nine highly respected judges from a record-breaking number of global entries.

Tonio Mallia, Chief Executive Officer of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, said:

“Winning the Museums + Heritage Award is an extraordinary moment for St John’s Co-Cathedral and for Malta. From the beginning, the vision behind the Caravaggio Wing was to create an experience that would bring one of the world’s greatest masterpieces to life in a way that is emotionally powerful, intellectually engaging, and accessible to all. To receive this recognition on an international stage is a tremendous honour and a testament to the passion, creativity, and dedication of our entire team.”

The award was presented during a ceremony held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Hilton on Park Lane in London.

The Caravaggio Wing was funded through Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014–2020, ‘Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges’. The project was part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, with a co-financing rate of 80% from the European Union and 20% from St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation.

Photograph credits: Hayley Bray