Secrets of St John's Co-Cathedral
Hear tales of heroic knights, decipher symbols on their tombs and see the world's largest Caravaggio painting
- Guided Tour
- 1hr 45m
- Historic Building
A Cathedral Like No Other
**Please note all tour fees *INCLUDE* the cost of entry into St John’s Co-Cathedral – see below for full price list**
Discover the secrets waiting for you in St John’s Co-Cathedral – all the things the audioguide doesn’t tell you!
Built by the Order of St John, this church is one of Tripadvisor’s Top 25 Attractions in Europe and has “the most beautiful floor in the world” consisting of more than 400 marble tomb slabs.
This tour will reveal fascinating stories of the Order’s Grand Masters and their knights, and teach you the hidden meanings of the symbols left for you to examine on their tombs.
You’ll also discover the secrets of two Caravaggio paintings found within the church, hear why the talented but troubled Caravaggio was kicked out of the Order and learn the incredible story of how one of his paintings was recovered by a Maltese priest/detective after it was stolen from the cathedral.
Finally, you’ll learn the strange reason why this is a “co-cathedral”.
All this and more on the Secrets of St John’s Co-Cathedral tour.
**PRICE LIST**
- €25 adult (12+)
- Children 11 and under go free
- €15 adult Heritage Passport holders
- €10 student Heritage Passport holders
What to Expect
Horrible Histories
Dark Malta Tours tell true stories of murder, crime, witchcraft, tragedy and naughty behaviour from across Malta's history.
Historic Setting
This is a guided tour around the stunning St John's Co-Cathedral and includes viewings of two paintings by Caravaggio.
Professional Guide
The tour will be conducted by Mario, a tourist guide and ex-BBC journalist who studies the darker side of Malta's history.
Flexible Access
The tour is suitable for people of average fitness and ability. Please get in touch if you have mobility requirements.
Payments
Payment can be made by credit card in advance to secure your booking, or in cash or Revolut at the start of the tour.
Contact
Ask for more information or make a booking on +356 99892628 or click the icon above to send an email.
Tour Meeting Point
Experience Other Dark Malta Tours
Hear more horrible history stories from around the Maltese islands
The Dark History of Valletta
Dscover the darker side of Malta’s capital city. Hear of a 16th Century ghost who threw parties in the 1990s; learn the truth about Valletta’s namesake Jean de Valette; hear of Malta’s first ever transgender person, and discover why British sailors once wriggled through a large hook found in the city.
Mysteries and Histories of Mdina
Wander through the charming streets of medieval Mdina and see the exact place where a huge treasure hoard was uncovered; learn why priests were once beaten up at the cathedral, hear about a heartbroken ghost, and find out why a woman was once whipped on a donkey through Mdina’s streets.
Stories of the Strange in Valletta
Discover the more unusual stories from Valletta’s past, like the city’s uncomfortable history with poo; the unusual rebels who tried to overthrow the Knights of Malta; the place where the plague of 1813 began; and learn the story of a British Army surgeon who came to Malta while hiding an incredible secret.
Secrets of St John’s Co-Cathedral
Uncover the stories and symbols hidden within one of Tripadvisor’s Top 25 attractions in Europe. Discover messages left for you by the Knights of Malta from beyond their graves; see two Caravaggio paintings and discover the strange reason why this unforgettable church is a “co-cathedral”.
Scandal and DisOrder: Dark Knights in Valletta
This tour reveals the titillating truth about the Knights of Malta and the people they ruled over. Uncover the sex lives of these rich, bored knights; hear of the ex-prostitutes who became nuns, and of the female pharmacist who personally tortured her slaves.
Mysteries in a Valletta Monastery
Take a tour around the Mysterium Fidei Museum, part of the cloistered St Catherine’s monastery. This intimate tour will show you where the nuns live, reveal the truth behind the monastery’s “control rooms” and lead you into the candlelit crypt where you’ll be told of the rituals surrounding its death bed.
Dark Tales in an Mdina Palazzo
Gain rare access to an exquisite Mdina palazzo and discover strange stories from its fascinating past. You’ll touch a piece of the True Cross as certified by a Pope, see tiny rooms where slaves slept and the place where legend has it a French solider was beaten to death. The tour will end with drinks on either the roof or in the stunning drawing room.
Tales of Torture in Mdina Dungeons
Take a guided tour around Mdina Dungeons at night and hear tales of terror and trauma from Malta’s horrible histories. Examine lifelike displays showing torture, witches, plague victims and more, while hearing blood-curdling stories of these brutal, true moments from history.
Book a Private Tour
Want to experience the rich history of the Maltese islands? Book a private tour for any of the dark history walks, or for a family-friendly trip covering Malta’s many highlights. This can include visits to the megalithic temples, the ancient city of Mdina, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and the sleepy charms of the island of Gozo.