The History

Woven at the centre of the trellised web of streets that form our capital city, a Church - gem of Architecture, grand in its austere facade , dramatic in its interior - imposes its perence. With Europe 's nobility and scions of chivalary at your feet , foot printed along the floor , walls and tapestries housed housed in the Cathedral, is a journey through the life of St 'John as it is relishing the grandeur of of the inpirational talent of the great Master of Baroque, Mattia Preti

It is in this Temple of warship that Caravaggio left his mark of genius - the beheading of the Baptist, a masterpiece for all times, a message in realism - the cruelty of death, a rope of salvation.

The significance of this monument to art and history is however much more than a landmark in the cultural calendar of civilisation.

It demonstrates a spirit of perseverance and dedication that was the coagulant of the Order during its peak.

Succesessive Grand Masters emanating from the difference langues chose to continue to contribute to this monument each commissioning diverse objects of adoration, which symbolised the christian faith

It marks a unique co-operative effort by personalities drawn together by admiration and commitment to onerous principles. It is, in this sense, a forebearer of a european culture built on common principles yet demonstrating singular and distinctive features.

For St John's Cathedral is not only a temple of the Knights of Malta. It is living evidence of Malta 's history . When the Victorious Maltese troops entered Valletta in September 1800, terminating the French Occupation, They and their leaders congregated to St John's to render thanks to the Almighty

It is in this church that on Malta's first experience with self government in November 1921, Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly, met in prayer. In this church the Tedeum was sung, when a battered Malta was delivered from the second Great Siege.

The Story The early history of St. John's is in fact tied to history of Malta and specifically with that of the Order. Immediately after the Great Siege of 1565, the Knights realized that they would not be able to resist another Ottoman onslaught unless adequate and modern defences were constucted to meet it. The Knights had no difficulty in defining such a sight on the tongue of land flanked by both the Grand Harbour and Marsamxette Harbour and in part overlooking the old Borgo - Senglea Defenceive complex. fact plans to build a fortress - city on the tounge of the land - then called Xaghret Mewwija - Had been considered before the siege of 1565; news of these new plannings seem to have reached the Ottoman authorized and may well have been a factour that included them to launch the 1565 massive campaign to oust the Knights from Malta before they would have raised more formadable defences. Noble People and their Monuments