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 St. John's Co-Cathedral stands in St. John Square, one of the rare
open spaces in Valletta. The square is dominated by the austerely impressive façade of the Co-Cathedral.
This was the Order's Conventual Church, and in 1816 it was given the status of Co-Cathedral by the Pope Pius VII.
It was built between 1573 and 1577 by Girolamo Cassar and is
considered his masterpiece. It was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, who was the Patron Saint of the Knights of
Malta.
Unlike the exterior, the interior is elegant with coloured marble tombstones, frescoes and numerous treasure-filled
chapels belonging to different "Langues" of the Order.
Attached to the Cathedral itself, the St. John's Museum is particularly noted for the unique collection of precious
Flemish tapestries, which are displayed from July though May every year. The Museum also houses the remaining treasures,
which were not looted by the French. There is also a magnificent collection of sacred vestments and sacred works
of art. The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, a painting by Caravaggio can be seen in the Cathedral's Oratory.
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