Once you walk through the door and into the church, your eyes will be tremendously busy soaking up the magnificent view. One is of Grand Master La Cassiere, who paid for the building of the Cathedral, one is of Bishop Torres who opened the Cathedral and the third is the coat of arms of religion.
Under the balcony are three coats of arms. This was used to announce the name of newly-elected grandmasters.Īpparently, the new grand-master used to throw golden coins to the people in the square below.
Over the main door, you’ll see a balcony supported by columns. The bell tower on the right has three clocks – one shows the time, one shows the day of the week and the other shows the date. It is rather plain but well-proportioned, almost reminiscent of a military fort, with a bell tower on each side of the main door. The cathedral’s exterior, which was designed and built by architect Girolamo Cassar has been restored a number of times during the years, first to repair World War II damage from aerial bombardment in 1941, then on more recent occasions.ĭespite some alterations, the façade still retains most of Cassar’s original Mannerist design. These were completed by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt in 1604. Later on, in 1598, Grand Master Martin Garzez ordered the construction of the oratory and sacristy. John, however, he put in a lot of his own as well. Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar, who during that period was responsible for the construction of many important buildings in Valletta, was asked to head the project.Ĭassar may have been inspired by an existing church in Rhodes that had belonged to the Order of St. Grand Master Jean de la Cassière commissioned the work in 1572 because he wanted a new conventual church for the Order instead of St. John’s Co-Cathedral started in 1573 and it took the builders 5 years to complete.
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