{"id":3234,"date":"2024-09-24T13:31:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T13:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/?p=3234"},"modified":"2025-07-28T08:00:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T08:00:09","slug":"complete-guide-how-to-visit-st-johns-co-cathedral-museum-valletta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.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 Cerviola Hotel<\/strong> in Marsaskala, don\u2019t miss the chance to visit one of Malta\u2019s most iconic landmarks\u2014St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral and its museum in Valletta<\/strong>. This stunning Baroque cathedral, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a masterpiece of art and architecture. Its museum houses priceless religious artifacts and world-renowned artworks, including masterpieces by Caravaggio<\/strong>.<\/p>

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

Built between 1572 and 1577 by the Knights of St. John<\/strong>, St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture<\/strong> in Europe. While its fa\u00e7ade is relatively modest, the interior is richly adorned with gold leaf, intricate carvings, and stunning artworks. The St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral Museum<\/strong>, located within the cathedral complex, showcases religious treasures, historic manuscripts, and Caravaggio\u2019s monumental work, The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist<\/em>\u2014his largest and most famous painting.<\/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 city. You\u2019ll find it on St. John\u2019s Street<\/strong>, just steps away from Republic Square and other iconic sites such as the Grandmaster\u2019s Palace<\/strong>.<\/p>

3. How to Get There from Marsaskala<\/h3>
  • By Car<\/strong>: The drive from Cerviola Hotel<\/strong> to Valletta takes around 25\u201330 minutes<\/strong>. Public parking is available outside Valletta\u2019s city gates, as the historic center is pedestrian-only.<\/li>\n\n
  • By Bus<\/strong>: Take bus 91 or 92<\/strong> to Valletta<\/strong>. The trip takes around 35\u201345 minutes<\/strong>, and the Valletta bus terminus is located just outside the city gates. From there, the cathedral is a short 5-minute walk.<\/li>\n\n
  • By Taxi or Bolt<\/strong>: A convenient and time-saving option. Cerviola Hotel reception<\/strong> will be happy to help you book a ride or private transfer.<\/li><\/ul>

    4. Best Tours of the Cathedral & Museum<\/h3>

    Guided tours offer fascinating insights into the history, architecture, and art<\/strong> of the cathedral. Audio guides<\/strong> are available in multiple languages and provide in-depth information about the chapels, artworks, and museum exhibits. If you\u2019re passionate about art and history, a guided tour is highly recommended. Ask at Cerviola Hotel reception<\/strong> for recommendations or booking assistance.<\/p>

    5. Opening Hours & Entrance Fees<\/h3>

    Opening Hours:<\/strong><\/p>

    • Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM \u2013 4:30 PM<\/strong> (last entry at 4:00 PM)<\/li>\n\n
    • Saturday: 9:30 AM \u2013 12:30 PM<\/strong> (last entry at 12:00 PM)<\/li>\n\n
    • Closed Sundays and public holidays<\/li><\/ul>

      Entrance Fees:<\/strong><\/p>

      • Adults: \u20ac15<\/strong><\/li>\n\n
      • Seniors and Students: \u20ac12<\/strong><\/li>\n\n
      • Children under 12: Free<\/strong> (when accompanied by an adult)<\/li><\/ul>

        Tickets include access to both the cathedral and the museum.<\/em><\/p>

        6. Best Time to Visit<\/h3>

        For a peaceful experience<\/strong>, plan your visit early in the morning on a weekday<\/strong>. The cathedral tends to get busy during the tourist season, especially in the afternoons, so arriving early helps you avoid the crowds and enjoy the art in a more tranquil setting.<\/p>

        7. What to Expect at the Cathedral & Museum<\/h3>

        \u2022 Cathedral Interior<\/strong>
        Step into a world of Baroque grandeur<\/strong>, with every surface adorned in gold, marble, and frescoes. The marble tombstones of the Knights of St. John cover the cathedral floor, while each chapel reflects the unique style of its originating langue.<\/p>

        \u2022 Caravaggio\u2019s Masterpieces<\/strong>
        The cathedral\u2019s Oratory<\/strong> is home to The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist<\/em>, Caravaggio\u2019s largest and most dramatic work. His painting St. Jerome Writing<\/em> is also on display.<\/p>

        \u2022 Religious Artifacts<\/strong>
        The museum features ornate silverware<\/strong>, illuminated manuscripts<\/strong>, and ceremonial vestments<\/strong> used by the Knights of St. John.<\/p>

        \u2022 Tapestries and Sculptures<\/strong>
        Marvel at an impressive collection of 17th-century tapestries<\/strong>, altarpieces<\/strong>, and religious sculptures.<\/p>

        8. Amenities Near the Museum<\/h3>

        St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral is located in the heart of Valletta<\/strong>, surrounded by restaurants, caf\u00e9s, boutique shops, and cultural landmarks. There\u2019s also a gift shop<\/strong> within the cathedral complex, where you can purchase books and souvenirs related to Maltese history and art.<\/p>

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

        How long should I spend there?<\/strong>
        Plan for 1 to 2 hours<\/strong>, or longer if you\u2019re an art enthusiast.<\/p>

        Is it suitable for children?<\/strong>
        Yes, children are welcome. Older kids with an interest in history and art may find the experience more engaging.<\/p>

        Are guided tours available?<\/strong>
        Yes, both audio guides<\/strong> and in-person guided tours<\/strong> are offered.<\/p>

        Final Thoughts<\/h3>

        A visit to St. John\u2019s Co-Cathedral<\/strong> is a must while in Malta. It\u2019s not just a place of worship\u2014it\u2019s a living museum of art, history, and architecture<\/strong>. For help planning your visit or booking a tour, feel free to ask the team at Cerviola Hotel reception<\/strong>. We\u2019ll gladly assist in making your Valletta experience unforgettable.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        While staying at Cerviola Hotel in Marsaskala, 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. Its museum houses priceless religious artifacts and world-renowned artworks, including masterpieces by …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"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":"Cerviola Hotel","categories":[{"name":"Museums","link":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/category\/museums\/","count":5}],"date":"September 24, 2024","featuredImageSRC":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-design-22-150x150.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3234"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3748,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3234\/revisions\/3748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cerviolahotel.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}