St. John's Co-Cathedral
St. John's Co-Cathedral
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
About
Built between 1573 and 1577, this cathedral contains two masterpieces by Caravaggio. St John’s Co-Cathedral is a gem of Baroque art and architecture. It was built as the conventual church for the Knights of St John. This church is till this very day an important shrine and a sacred place of worship. It is also a venue for cultural events. The construction was commissioned in 1572 by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière to serve as the conventual church of the Knights of Malta and designed by the Maltese military architect Gerolamo Cassar. The church was dedicated to St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Order. The oratory holds the biggest and only signed masterpiece by Caravaggio. St John’s church is administered by the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation responsible for the religious cultural heritage of the monument.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Zosia B
    Waterloo, Belgium1,412 contributions
    Absolutely amazing
    What an amazing experience. The cathedral is pretty from the outside but the inside in nothing short of impressive. Just wow! From floor to ceiling and everything in between it is so ornate with no detail left undone. The view from the balcony gives the perfect bird’s eye view. The audio guide explains everything. Go early to avoid the crowds and don’t be deterred by the price. It’s well worth every penny.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 27 December 2022
  • Melinda A
    London, United Kingdom1,989 contributions
    Absolutely stunning interior
    I am so glad that I decided to drag my family to see this church. As everyone says, there’s nothing particularly special on the outside but the inside bled me away. It is exquisite, up there with the Vatican, dare I say possibly better??? Regardless it’s a must visit. So much to see and the audio guides are excellent! Learned so much about the Order of the Knights of St John and Caravaggio. I highly recommend visiting this beautiful church.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 December 2022
  • david m
    Sedgefield, South Africa65 contributions
    STUNNING
    A beautiful Cathedral, one of the most striking we have ever visited. The app tells, and shows, all one needs to know. Have a look before you visit. Probably best to go early or late. The congestion caused by tour groups was rather tiresome.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 4 January 2023
  • H_sas
    Brussels, Belgium83 contributions
    A must do in Malta
    A must do in Malta, without any excuses. A treasure with breathtaking interieur, a well-preserved world masterpiece. Audio guide is quite good and available in different languages. 15 EUR entrance fee for me is totally justified: this splendour needs to be upkept and taken good care of. I would advise a morning visit, in the afternoon it might get more crowded.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 January 2023
  • Peter V
    Amboise, France366 contributions
    Always worth a visit
    This is an exceptional building, with two exceptional paintings. However, the visit was disappointing in that their new audio-guides are badly synchronised, i.e. there is a delay in showing the image, while the discourse has moved on to something else. This is annoying to say the least. A further disappointment was not being able to see the last item--a short video on Caravaggio. We were told at 16h30 that: "you are too late", with no attempt at an apology, as the door was shut in our faces. Museum staff in hospitality need training in courtesy.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 10 January 2023
  • XavierBB
    Lleida, Spain46 contributions
    A must if you go to Valletta
    From the outside, it might look like just another cathedral, but the inside is spectacular. There is no piece of wall that is not painted gold or decorated. The tombstones on the floor are made of marbles with very vivid green, black, white colors, which I don't think I've ever seen. I recommend it to you.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 17 January 2023
  • Nomadic_Explorer
    London, United Kingdom36 contributions
    Beautiful place but extortionate entry fee.
    St John's Co-Cathedral is definitely an important site to visit in Valletta, and it is indeed a beautiful place. However, is it really worth the €15 entry fee, especially when the adjoining museum is actually closed. To be honest, I felt a bit ripped off. To get the best of the extortionate entry fee, go early, grab an audio guide and head straight for the oratory to see the Caravaggio before the tour groups get there. Then head up to the balcony for a great bird's eye view of the nave. Finally check out all the surrounding chapels.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 27 January 2023
  • nsojer
    Barnet, United Kingdom460 contributions
    Stunning Cathedral
    I visited recently on a cruise and this was my number one destination in Valletta. It was a Sunday so I could only look inside as they were preparing for Sunday Mass - the sides were roped off. Fairly ordinary from the outside, it is absolutely stunning on the inside. Way over the top in terms of floor and wall paintings and tiles. Amazing
    Visited January 2023
    Written 7 February 2023
  • Karen M
    22 contributions
    Expensive but beautiful
    Beautiful cathedral to visit! We paid 15 euros each for our tickets and were rushed in to be fitted up with an audio guide and when I turned to look around I got told rudely to pay attention while she explained to me how to put a headset on! Didn't really want/need the headset and found the staff to be very rude. Feel like the cathedral has enough money as it is without charging people for things they dont want/need. So although a very beautiful place to visit, I think they should rethink the set up!
    Visited February 2023
    Written 16 February 2023
  • Raul F
    Lisbon, Portugal188 contributions
    Unbelievable
    Small charge of €15 (€12 for senior citizens) to enter but it is really worth it. The architecture is unbelievable. You also get a verbal tour with head phones. The bomb that miraculously did not blow up can also be seen. A small Chapel for private prayer is also available. One not to miss.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 February 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Wayne Assiratti
Dover, UK5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
The interior of the Cathedral is truly amazing. Have been to many cathedrals over the years, but nothing like this. Breathtaking. A must visit on any trip to Malta.
The Caravaggio paintings are amazing
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill644
8 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We are not religious but this is worth a wait in the line to get in …I think there is always a waiting line so check the times in advance, their online booking system did not work so a line up was the only way to get tickets…we have seen many churches in our journeys including Rome but I think this rivals them all..the workmanship and cost are mind blowing.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David C
London, UK375 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Magnificent interior one of the best I have ever been privileged to see. The paintings and other decorations with the marble floor covering the graves of 400 knights are beautiful.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

neetpettit
54 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We went Valletta Resounds and it was great. Especially to see the Cathedral in a less crowded way and the history of the Knights, the Cathedral and Caravaggio brought to life. Memorable and atmospheric.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Serena C
Cheshire, UK872 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Located in the heart of Valletta, it was finished in the 1570's. Look down as the floor is pretty incredible with a huge collection of tombstones. The whole building is absolutely incredible. It does tend to get busy so book in advance and choose a day when the cruise ships are not in. You do get an audiovisual guide, which is really informative. You can move around the building but remember not to go when there is a mass on as you won't be able to visit everything. The Caravaggio is one of the main attractions and we were afforded a good view.
Written 7 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

janetmayo
16 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
All the wealth and all the splendour on show.. asking for money for everything… religious images of Christ - simple poor and giving - the chi’s he’s however are on the take
Written 31 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Glenn M
Penrith, UK30 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
This is a very impressive cathedral with amazing carved walls, marble sculpture and stunning paintings.
Book your tickets online and arrive as it opens. This will allow you to jump the line. Arriving early avoids the cruise ship tour groups.
Your online ticket includes an audio guide, which I would recommend.
Don't miss the view from the balcony.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Seasonedtraveller142
London, UK250 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The interior is a terrific example of a completely OTT gothic cathedral in all its magnificent splendour. The audio-guide is useful (it took me a while to navigate) as it is big. The Caravaggios are worth the visit alone, together with a useful bio on the audio-guide.
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Grace W
Halifax, UK90 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We made a second trip from Silema to Valleta to visit this church specifically. We weren't disappointed. It is absolutely stunning. It's not as big as I thought it would be but still not disappointed.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Victoria M
Abuja, Nigeria19 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
its so beautiful. worth the wait though you can purchase the ticket on line and that saves you the time queuing or standing in line especially when the weather's always warm and sunny and you earn it inside. survived the bomb its astonishing. the audio recording so helpful and accurate it comes with your entrance fee. spend time in the small sacrament chapel.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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St. John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta - Tripadvisor

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