St John’s Co-Cathedral - Valletta, Malta - Bell Tower Framed by Greenery

One of the historic bell towers of St John’s Co-Cathedral rises above the trees in Valletta, crowned by its distinctive pyramidal spire and cross.

This photograph captures one of the bell towers of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta, rising above dense Mediterranean greenery beneath a brilliant blue sky. The pale limestone tower is crowned by a distinctive pyramidal spire, ornamental sphere and cross, while its arched bell opening can be seen between the surrounding trees. St John’s was built by the Order of St John as its conventual church and dedicated to St John the Baptist, patron saint of the Order. Designed by Maltese architect and military engineer Girolamo Cassar, the church was completed in 1577, little more than a decade after the Great Siege of Malta. Its restrained Mannerist exterior, including the two substantial bell towers, contrasts dramatically with the extraordinarily elaborate Baroque interior created during the following century. Under Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner, the interior was extensively redecorated, with Mattia Preti contributing the celebrated painted scenes from the life of St John the Baptist on the barrel vault. Today the Co-Cathedral remains one of Valletta’s most important religious and architectural landmarks.