The Order of St John had its own place of worship, the conventual church dedicated to its patron, John the Baptist. The church was built in a mannerist style during the late 16th century to the designs of Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar, who realised many of the Order's public buildings in the years following the founding of Valletta.

St John's continued to be endowed and embellished for over 200 years, to become one vast treasure house. Today, it is used as a co-cathedral.

The church is a microcosm of Europe, with side chapels for the use of the different langues.

The floor of the church is a marvel in itself. Century after century, the original paving was gradually replaced by inlaid marble tablets bearing memorials to distinguished members of the Order. Two important works by the master of chiaroscuro, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, are held within the church and its oratory.

In the late 17th century, under the patronage of Grand Master Rafael Cotoner and his brother Nicola, who succeeded him, Mattia Preti painted the barrel vault with colossal murals in dizzying tromp d'oeil, depicting episodes from the life of John the Baptist.

The baroque altarpiece behind the main altar is a larger than life sculpture depicting the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, executed by Giuseppe Mazzuoli at the beginning of the 18th century. Shortly afterwards, Grand Master Ramon Perellos added a series of Flemish tapestries of the highest quality.

Funerary monuments of the various grand masters crowd the side chapels of their respective langues, each one more ostentatious than the one before. The magnificent altarpieces and intricately carved and gilded walls complete the assemblage of baroque opulence that still dazzles us today.

This series is appearing every Saturday in collaboration with Miranda Publishers.

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