La Malta Cathedral a Valletta is called the Cathedral of Saint John. From the outside it seems to be nothing special, but trust me, it is only by entering that you will discover the real gem that is inside. A church wonder that was begun in 1571 and took only 6 years to finish the exterior, by Gerolamo Cassar. The original style of the Church is the Renaissance one. Despite everything, who worked the most inside this church was a Sicilian, an Italian by name Mattia Preti, who worked for the Order of the Knights of Malta from his 30 to 80 years, practically a whole life.
THEOrder of the Knights of Malta it was founded by Italians first of all, but then nobles from all over Europe wanted to be part of it and this church is the testimony of it. In fact, in each chapel there is a language of the order and a different coat of arms, furthermore the Grand Masters who are buried here are found in the chapels of the nations from which they come. Before arriving in Malta the knights they were in Rhodes, where they remained until 1523. After that they were forced to leave Rhodes and for seven years they toured Europe in search of a new home. Carlo v in the 30s of 1500, offers them the Island of Malta. The annual vassalage tribute to the island of Malta was a single Maltese falcon, which they were to give on November XNUMXst. The Knights agreed with the idea that they would then return to Rhodes, so much so that they did not build nothing on the island for the first 45 years.
Cathedral of St. John and the Knights of Malta
Il Great teacher to the Knights of Malta has a life mandate, and is elected by a representative of all nationalities. From 1530 to 1798 they followed one another 28 grand masters, 27 of them buried here. Underground there are only knights since, as we said, the grand masters had the monuments and they are arranged inside their nationality chapels. They are well 400 tombstones which are found in the floor of the Church and each of them has the biography of the knight above. Inside the church there are also representations of the Knights of Malta, which are mostly depicted in only two ways. Since the founders of the Knights of Malta are from Amalfi, the camalfi coast eight-pointed is the cross that we find represented in every symbol concerning the Knights of Malta. The black cloak with a white eight-pointed cross is used in the representations of the Knights, let's say at rest, not in war, while the representation of the Knights with a red cloak and white cross, is used for battles. Looking up to the sky instead we see the life of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the order, divided into 18 episodes in the vaults.
On the walls of the Cathedral of St. John there is no stucco, the walls are carved in stone with 24-karat gold sheets. An incredible contrast with the austerity of the church from the outside and what is inside here when you enter, a beautiful distinction that makes this place even more magical for those who want to delve into the mysteries of the Knights of Malta and Caravaggio.
Looking towards the main altar, we find what is considered the masterpiece of the Church of San Giovanni, made in Rome in 1681. An altarpiece that is located behind the altar completely in marble, where the most precious marble is the one in blue that is located in the middle and which is covered by the bas-relief representing the Last Supper. Under the main altar the crypt where the tombs of the gods are located first 10 grand masters.
Caravaggio Chapel in the Cathedral of San Giovanni
An extraordinary thing and absolutely not to be missed, which is located in the Cathedral of San Giovanni, is the Caravaggio Chapel. The Chapel was born from the need of the Knights of Malta to have a place for them to pray and therefore was added after the constitution of the Cathedral. In fact, there is also a very different architectural style. Here the ceiling is hand carved and carries the paintings of Mattia Preti. In 1607 the Caravaggio in Malta and arrives as a fugitive after living in Rome and then Naples. In Naples he stayed with a wealthy family who, not wanting to have the responsibility of hosting the fugitive, decided to rely on Malta and ask for the help of the Knights. Sent to Malta it is said that Michelangelo Merisi, known as the Caravaggio's paid with this painting, the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, entry into the Order of the Knights. Until the end of 1950 the Maltese did not know there was Caravaggio's signature on this painting. But when it was brought to Rome to be restored, the signature of Caravaggio was found, here marked with "Fra da Michela". It is thought that this "hasty" signing was due to his status as a fugitive in Malta.
La conclusion of the history of Caravaggio we know, after Malta Caravaggio went to Sicily and then to Portoercole, where recent studies indicate that he was assassinated, and not that he died a natural death as previously thought. What we do not know is that after only three months from the completion of the work, Caravaggio was recalled by the Order of the Knights of Malta to be removed from the Order.
Information and ticket prices
To enter the Cathedral is € 6 for adults and € 4.60 for seniors, students pay € 3.50. The Cathedral is open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 16.30 and on Saturdays from 9.30 to 12.30 with last admission half an hour before closing. The Cathedral is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
