{"id":3234,"date":"2024-09-24T13:31:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/?p=3234"},"modified":"2025-02-25T10:32:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T09:32:23","slug":"complete-guide-how-to-visit-st-johns-co-cathedral-museum-valletta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/complete-guide-how-to-visit-st-johns-co-cathedral-museum-valletta\/","title":{"rendered":"Complete Guide: How to Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral Museum, Valletta"},"content":{"rendered":"

While staying at GreatStays<\/strong> Apartments in St. Paul’s Bay,<\/strong> don\u2019t miss the chance to visit one of Malta\u2019s most iconic landmarks\u2014St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong> and its museum in Valletta. This stunning Baroque cathedral, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a masterpiece of art and architecture, with a museum housing important religious artifacts and works of art, including masterpieces by Caravaggio<\/strong>.<\/p>

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1. Overview of St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum<\/h3>

St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong>, built between 1572 and 1577 by the Knights of St. John<\/strong>, is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. While the exterior may appear modest, the interior is lavishly decorated with intricate carvings, gold leaf, and stunning paintings. The St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum<\/strong> is located within the cathedral complex and houses priceless religious artifacts, manuscripts, and works of art, including Caravaggio\u2019s “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist”<\/strong>\u2014the largest painting he ever created.<\/p>

2. Where is St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum?<\/h3>

The museum is located within St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong> in the heart of Valletta<\/strong>, Malta\u2019s capital. The cathedral is situated on St. John\u2019s Street<\/strong>, just a short walk from other major attractions like the Grandmaster\u2019s Palace<\/strong> and Republic Square<\/strong>.<\/p>

3. How to Get to the Museum from St. Paul’s Bay<\/strong> <\/em><\/h3>
  • By Car<\/strong>: Driving from St. Paul’s Bay <\/strong> to Valletta takes about 30 minutes<\/strong>. Parking is available outside the Valletta city gates, as the central areas of the city are pedestrian-only.<\/li>\n\n
  • By Bus<\/strong>: Public buses from St. Paul’s Bay<\/strong> <\/em> to Valletta take around 30-40 minutes<\/strong>. The bus terminus is located just outside Valletta\u2019s city gates, and St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral is a short walk from there.<\/li><\/ul>

    Once inside Valletta, the cathedral is easily accessible on foot, located along one of the main streets.<\/p>

    4. Best Tours of St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum<\/h3>

    Guided tours of St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong> offer in-depth information about the history, art, and architecture of this incredible site. Audio guides are available in multiple languages, providing detailed explanations of the cathedral\u2019s chapels, artworks, and the museum\u2019s collection. For those interested in art and history, a guided tour of the cathedral and museum is highly recommended. <\/p>

    5. Opening Hours & Entrance Fees<\/h3>
    • Opening Hours<\/strong>:
      • Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM<\/strong> (last entry at 4 PM).<\/li>\n\n
      • Saturdays: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM<\/strong> (last entry at 12 PM).<\/li>\n\n
      • Closed on Sundays and public holidays.<\/li><\/ul><\/li>\n\n
      • Entrance Fees<\/strong>:
        • Adults: \u20ac15<\/strong><\/li>\n\n
        • Seniors and students: \u20ac12<\/strong><\/li>\n\n
        • Children under 12: Free when accompanied by an adult.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>

          The ticket includes entry to the cathedral and the museum.<\/p>

          6. Best Time to Visit<\/h3>

          The best time to visit St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong> and its museum is in the morning<\/strong>, when it is less crowded. Weekdays are ideal for a quieter experience. The cathedral can be quite busy during the tourist season, so booking in advance or arriving early is recommended.<\/p>

          7. What to Expect at St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum<\/h3>
          • The Cathedral Interior<\/strong>: The interior of St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral is a feast for the eyes, with intricate Baroque art and design, gold-gilded carvings, and ornate marble tombstones that line the floor, commemorating the Knights of St. John. Each chapel within the cathedral is dedicated to a different “langue” (regional division) of the Order.<\/li>\n\n
          • Caravaggio\u2019s Masterpieces<\/strong>: The museum\u2019s highlight is Caravaggio\u2019s “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist”<\/strong>, displayed in the Oratory<\/strong>. It is the largest painting created by the artist and is considered one of his most significant works.<\/li>\n\n
          • Religious Artifacts<\/strong>: The museum also houses a collection of religious treasures, including silverware, illuminated manuscripts, and vestments used by the Knights of St. John.<\/li>\n\n
          • Tapestries and Sculptures<\/strong>: The museum also showcases magnificent tapestries, as well as a stunning collection of sculptures and altarpieces from the 16th and 17th centuries.<\/li><\/ul>

            8. Amenities Near the Museum<\/h3>

            St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral is located in Valletta\u2019s bustling center, meaning that there are plenty of caf\u00e9s, restaurants, and shops within walking distance. The museum also has a small gift shop where you can purchase books and souvenirs related to the cathedral and Malta\u2019s history.<\/p>

            9. St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum FAQ<\/h3>

            How long should I spend at St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral?<\/strong>
            Plan to spend about 1-2 hours<\/strong> exploring the cathedral and its museum. If you want to spend more time appreciating the art and architecture, you may want to allow more time.<\/p>

            Is the museum suitable for children?<\/strong>
            Yes, children are welcome at the museum, though the focus on art and history may be more engaging for older children and adults.<\/p>

            Are guided tours available?<\/strong>
            Yes, both audio guides and in-person guided tours are available, providing deeper insights into the history and significance of the cathedral and its artworks.<\/p>

            Final Thoughts<\/h3>

            A visit to St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong> and its museum is an unforgettable experience, offering a glimpse into Malta\u2019s rich history and artistic heritage. Whether you\u2019re an art lover or history enthusiast, this site is a must-see in Valletta. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            While staying at GreatStays Apartments in St. Paul’s Bay, don\u2019t miss the chance to visit one of Malta\u2019s most iconic landmarks\u2014St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral and its museum in Valletta. This stunning Baroque cathedral, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a masterpiece of art and architecture, with a museum housing important religious artifacts and works of …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":492,"loftocean_post_format_gallery":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_ids":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_urls":"","loftocean_post_format_video_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_video_url":"","loftocean_post_format_video_type":"","loftocean_post_format_video":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_type":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_url":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_audio":"","loftocean-like-count":0,"cozystay_single_post_hide_site_header":"","cozystay_single_post_site_header_source":"","cozystay_single_post_custom_site_header":"0","cozystay_single_post_custom_sticky_site_header":"0","cozystay_single_post_hide_page_title":"","cozystay_single_post_site_footer_hide_main":"","cozystay_single_custom_site_footer_main_source":"","cozystay_single_custom_site_footer_main":"0","cozystay_single_post_site_footer_hide_above":"","cozystay_single_custom_site_footer_above_source":"","cozystay_single_custom_site_footer_above":"0","cozystay_single_post_site_footer_hide_instagram":"","cozystay_single_post_site_footer_hide_bottom":"","cozystay_single_custom_mobile_menu_source":"","cozystay_single_custom_mobile_menu":"0","cozystay_single_custom_mobile_menu_animation":"","cozystay_single_custom_mobile_menu_width":"","cozystay_single_custom_mobile_menu_custom_width":375,"cozystay_single_post_template":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-museums"],"aioseo_notices":[],"loftoceanMetas":{"authorName":"GreatStay Malta","categories":[{"name":"Museums","link":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/category\/museums\/","count":5}],"date":"September 24, 2024","featuredImageSRC":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-design-22-150x150.jpg"},"mfb_rest_fields":["aioseo_notices","gutenberg_elementor_mode","loftoceanMetas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3234"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4834,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3234\/revisions\/4834"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/greatstaysmalta.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}