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Valletta's Cathedrals

Kon-Katidral ta' San Gwann (St. John’s Co-Cathedral)

Triq San Gwann,  Valletta,  Malta

St. John’s Co-Cathedral, known in Maltese as Kon-Katidral ta' San Gwann, is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral in Valletta, Malta. Built in the 16th century, it is renowned for its opulent Baroque interior, intricate marble floors, and works by Caravaggio.
church with two bell towers
church with two bell towers ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a richly decorated altar with intricate gold and blue detailing
a richly decorated altar with intricate gold and blue detailing ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
intricate gold decorations
intricate gold decorations ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
elaborate frescoes on the ceilin
elaborate frescoes on the ceilin ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The central painting shows a religious scene with several figures, including a central female figure holding a child
The central painting shows a religious scene with several figures, including a central female figure holding a child ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
intricately designed floor
intricately designed floor ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
opulent and highly detailed
opulent and highly detailed ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a marble surface with a prominent star emblem
a marble surface with a prominent star emblem ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
baroque-style sculpture of an angel
baroque-style sculpture of an angel ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a richly decorated pulpit and organ
a richly decorated pulpit and organ ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
baroque-style monument with intricate sculptures and gold detailing
baroque-style monument with intricate sculptures and gold detailing ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
central sculpture of a seated figure with angels
central sculpture of a seated figure with angels ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The altar is centrally positioned and adorned with statues
The altar is centrally positioned and adorned with statues ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The ceiling is adorned with intricate frescoes and elaborate gold decorations
The ceiling is adorned with intricate frescoes and elaborate gold decorations ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
intricate gold detailing, marble columns
intricate gold detailing, marble columns ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The architecture features intricate gold and blue detailing, with multiple arches and columns
The architecture features intricate gold and blue detailing, with multiple arches and columns ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The ceiling and walls are richly decorated with gold accents
The ceiling and walls are richly decorated with gold accents ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a central oval window that allows natural light to illuminate the space
a central oval window that allows natural light to illuminate the space ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate gold patterns, frescoes, and statues
The walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate gold patterns, frescoes, and statues ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The focal point is an intricately decorated altar
The focal point is an intricately decorated altar ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
reverence and historical grandeur
reverence and historical grandeur ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
historical and artistic grandeur
historical and artistic grandeur ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The floor features elaborate marble inlays
The floor features elaborate marble inlays ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
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Kon-Katidral ta’ San Gwann (St. John’s Co-Cathedral)

Kon-Katidral ta’ San Gwann (St. John’s Co-Cathedral) in Valletta is Malta’s Baroque jewel, built by the Knights of St. John between 1573–1578 and dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

Historical Background


Founder: Commissioned by Grand Master Jean de la Cassière after the Great Siege of 1565.
Architect: Girolamo Cassar, who also designed many of Valletta’s key buildings.
Consecrated: 20 February 1578.
Original Role: Conventual church of the Knights of St. John, replacing St. Lawrence’s in Birgu.

Architectural Highlights


Exterior: Mannerist style, austere and fortress-like, reflecting military discipline.
Interior: Transformed in the 17th century into one of Europe’s finest Baroque masterpieces, richly decorated by Mattia Preti.
Floor: Marble tombstones of over 400 Knights, each inlaid with coats of arms and allegorical imagery.
Oratory: Houses Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St. John the Baptist — his largest and only signed work.
Chapels: Each Langue (division) of the Order had its own chapel, adorned with unique iconography.

References

www.stjohnscocathedral.com ,  en.wikipedia.org ,  www.tripadvisor.co.uk , Text generated by Microsoft CoPilot

Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Triq il-Kbira,  Valletta,  Malta

The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a prominent Roman Catholic basilica located in Valletta, Malta. Known for its impressive dome and rich interior, it is a central place of worship and a key site during the annual feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
ornate church with a high, domed ceiling and large arched windows.
ornate church with a high, domed ceiling and large arched windows. ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a central figure adorned in blue and gold robes
a central figure adorned in blue and gold robes ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
the altar, which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures
the altar, which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
ornate interior of a church
ornate interior of a church ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
tall, red marble columns with intricate white capitals
tall, red marble columns with intricate white capitals ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a lectern with a microphone, two smaller chairs, and a central throne-like chair
a lectern with a microphone, two smaller chairs, and a central throne-like chair ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
The pulpit is elevated on a platform with steps leading up to it
The pulpit is elevated on a platform with steps leading up to it ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
a wooden altar with a lectern, surrounded by marble and stone structures
a wooden altar with a lectern, surrounded by marble and stone structures ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
dome
The dome is characterized by its large, circular design with a series of concentric rings of windows allowing natural light to illuminate the space ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Carmelite Province of Malta
Carmelite Province of Malta ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
reverence
reverence ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
wooden pews
wooden pews ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
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Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Valletta, Malta is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, famous for its striking dome that dominates the skyline and its deep Carmelite heritage.

Historical Highlights


The Carmelite Order established its presence in Malta as early as 1418, and by 1570 they were granted land in Valletta to build their church.
The original church served as Valletta’s first parish before being absorbed into St Paul’s Shipwreck parish.
The basilica’s Marian image was canonically crowned in 1881 by decree of Pope Leo XIII.
During WWII, the church was heavily bombed, leading to its complete reconstruction in the mid-20th century, between 1958–1981.

Minor Basilica, part of Valletta’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the original church was built between 1570–1591, designed by Girolamo Cassar

References

en.wikipedia.org ,  www.visitmalta.com , Text generated by Microsoft CoPilot

St Paul's Pro-Cathedral

Triq San Pawl,  Valletta,  Malta

St Paul's Pro-Cathedral is an Anglican church located in Valletta, Malta. Built in the 19th century, it is known for its neoclassical architecture, historical significance, and beautiful interior. The cathedral serves as a place of worship and a popular tourist attraction.
a neoclassical building with a portico supported by six large columns
a neoclassical building with a portico supported by six large columns ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Pray
The image shows the interior of a church with wooden pews. One of the pews is adorned with colorful, cushioned kneelers that have various designs and text, including religious symbols and the word 'PRAY'. There are also some books placed on the pews and a person standing in the background. ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
pulpit area with multiple lit candles and a coat of arms above it
pulpit area with multiple lit candles and a coat of arms above it ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Auberge D'Aragon
Auberge D'Aragon ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
wooden balconies and stone facades
wooden balconies and stone facades ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
historic courtyard with stone buildings
Independence Square ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
Independence Square
Independence Square ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance ‐ photo by ,
©www.mgaylard.co.uk.
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St. Paul's Cathedral

St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta is an Anglican landmark commissioned by Queen Adelaide in the 19th century, famous for its tall spire that shapes the city’s skyline alongside the dome of the Carmelite Basilica.

Historical Highlights


Queen Adelaide, widow of King William IV, visited Malta in 1838 and discovered there was no Anglican place of worship. She funded the construction of the cathedral.
Built on the site of the Auberge d’Allemagne, the former conventual home of the German Knights Hospitaller.
During WWII, the cathedral suffered damage, including a collapsed roof, but was restored after the war.
The new chancery was dedicated in 1949 by the Archbishop of Canterbury Geoffrey Fisher, attended by Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II).

References

en.wikipedia.org ,  www.stpaulspromalta.org , Text generated by Microsoft CoPilot
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