St John's Co-Cathedral Valletta Malta
Posted by: Norfolk12
N 35° 53.862 E 014° 30.774
33S E 456042 N 3972711
A Breathtaking Church in the middle of Valletta , with some wonderfull inlaid marble memorials, with crests and skeleleton's displayed.
Waymark Code: WM59C3
Location: Malta
Date Posted: 12/01/2008
Views: 60
St John's Co-Cathedral is a unique monument of international importance. It owes its rich history and artistic heritage to the fact that for over 200 years it was the conventual church of the Order of The Knights of St John. The Grand Masters and Knights donated gifts of high artistic value and made enormous contributions to enrich it with only the best works of art by leading artists available to them. As a result it is a most glorious and magnificent artistic expression of the High Baroque era.
The Knights were noblemen from the most important families of Europe and they had a mission that is to protect the Catholic Faith and Europe from the attacks of the Ottoman Turks. After the attack known as the Grand Siege in 1565 it seems the Knights vowed to turn Malta into a fortress that befitted a military Order with a Capital city worthy of so illustrious a group of noblemen.
the Building was completed in 1577 and dedicated to St John The Baptist, the Patron Saint of the Order.
Works of art inside include paintings by CARAVAGIO [ 1573- 1610]
The alter piece which depicts the beheading of John the Baptist.is he largest one he is known to have painted and signed.
The side chapels are dedicated to the eight languages of the Order.
Several of the alter pieces are by Preti.
Building Materials: Stone
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Visit Instructions:
Logs for Medieval churches waymark must contain a date found and any details about the visit there. Also photos and other experiences related to the building are welcome.