St John's Co-Cathedral

Valletta's St John's Co-Cathedral is one of Malta's most prestigious historic churches: it was built as the conventual church of the Order of St John (the Knights Hospitaller) at the end of the 16th century. While its exterior is relatively modest, the interior represents the pinnacle of Maltese Baroque opulence. Its uniqueness lies partly in the "surprising" contrast as the space opens into an interior almost entirely covered with decorations, carvings, and gilded surfaces; and partly in the chapel system and commemorative culture reflecting the Order's European network. A highlight of the visitor experience is the monumental ceiling cycle painted by Mattia Preti, depicting the life of St John, alongside the cathedral's outstanding collection of artworks: it houses two of Caravaggio's masterpieces from his time in Malta, including The Beheading of St John the Baptist in the oratory, considered one of the pinnacles of Western painting by art historians. 

From a sustainability perspective, the cathedral combines heritage preservation with resource efficiency in its operations: ongoing restoration and conservation programmes, as well as museum developments, are a constant feature. Recently, as part of a large-scale modernisation project, the cathedral transitioned to museum-grade LED lighting, which, according to published data, significantly reduces energy consumption by over 50%, while also improving the visibility of the artworks and enhancing the visitor experience.