Arts and Architecture

The Co-Cathedral of Saint Johns in Valletta was built by Grand Master La Cassière, who reigned in Malta between 1572 and 1581. Designed by Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar, the monumental church became the Conventual Church of the Order. Saint John’s Co-Cathedral is certainly Cassar’s most important work. Work started in 1573, and the church was finally consecrated in 1578 by the Archbishop of Monreale, Monsignor Ludovico de Torres.

The glory of Baroque Painting in Malta – evident above all in its sacred manifestation – is largely influenced by Italian Art. It is the result of the Knights’ serious artistic commitment to adorn the buildings in the city of Valletta with the best painters’ works.

Although some scholars believe that it is of Punic origin, the Maltese Language is in fact largely derived from Arabic and related very closely to dialects used in North African countries, especially Tunisian Arabic. The Maltese language is the only Semitic language which uses the Latin alphabet in its standard form.

Malta faced a turning-point in its architectural history when the Knights of St. John occupied the islands in 1530. For the first time ever, European building styles were introduced in Malta. With the help of Italian engineers and architects, the Order of St. John founded today’s capital Valletta in 1566 and built the impressive fortifications around the Grand Harbour.