St John Cathedral: Malta
 

Does anyone know if one can visit the cathedral on Sunday? Thank you.

Hi poss, if you mean St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, then yes you can visit on Sundays. Was there a couple of weeks ago, and could visit as a paying ‘tourist’ with audio headphones supplied, on a weekday after the morning Holy Mass. (E6 per adult, dress codes apply).

Although the Cathedral is closed for tourist visits on Sundays, it has no less than six Holy Mass celebrations, with a Sung Mass at 9:15am, and attending any one of these would of course be free

You can check the details at the Cathedral’s website: http://www.stjohnscocathedral.com/

Hope this helps.

It was wonderful to see your positive reply, FT. Thank you.
I'm not sure I fully understand though. I'd think that the church wouldn't want people coming in who they realized were coming to see the art rather than to experience the more truly religious aspects of the church (the prayers, I mean). Also, the Caraveggio is the main thing I want to see-- plus all the tiles. Even if we were permitted inside, I suspect they would not want us strolling around inside (of course after the services, not during!) The website clearly says that the cathedral is closed to visitors on Sunday. So I don't know what to think. I'm so hoping that you're correct-- that one can, in fact, go inside the church for half an hour or so. Even if we had to miss seeing the painting, it would be lovely at least to see some of the other decoration.

Hi again poss – yes, the cathedral is ‘closed’ to tourists on Sundays, but not closed to visitors wishing to be part of a religious service. So you would be permitted inside, and if you sit discretely at the back, you will be able to marvel at the sumptuous interior decorations during the service. You would not be able to stroll around, and unfortunately as the Caravaggios are in a separate enclosed room you would not be able to even catch a glimpse of them. But I do think experiencing the cathedral during a mass would be something very, very special and may perhaps lessen your disappointment in not viewing the Caravaggios. You could discretely leave when you have had your fill of this unique experience.

Dress codes do apply, so if you do consider attending one of the services, I’d recommend dressing very conservatively.

If you’re absolutely determined to view the Caravaggios (there are two) then I’d suggest contacting the cathedral’s administration (telephone for visitors: 21220536) and request a private viewing with an offer of a substantial ‘donation’ towards the cathedral’s upkeep, and who knows, you might strike it lucky!

Thanks, Furry. Missing the Carvaggios is too bad-- but I agree that being able to experience the inside of the church will be special as well. I know we're not interested in sitting there (esp in sweatsy clothes) for an hour, so I hope it'll truly be ok to slip out. Are pants ok for women? (I don't wear skirts/dresses.)
Thanks so much for all your help.

Glad I can help, poss.

Not sure if pants would really be suitable, as all of Malta is pretty seriously Catholic; we passed by quite a few churches where Sunday services were to be held and even commented on the ‘old style’ church attire – dark suits and ties for the men, and dark-coloured plain dresses on the ladies, long sleeved and many with black stockings and low-heeled closed shoes. Some of the younger ones wore smart dark designer suits, but I didn’t see any women wearing pants.

Also, as you’re visiting on a Sunday, just a heads-up that although the more ‘tourist-oriented’ places may be open, most places are closed on Sundays. Some even closed Saturday afternoons, in preparation for respecting the Sunday.

Oh, boy. Makes me wonder why any cruise ship would bother to stop in Malta on a Sunday (since the churches seem to be the main thing that most folks are interested in seeing). My husband will have a blazer and khakis with him-- definitely not a dark suit. And I just don't wear dresses. (I have foot problems, need to wear orthotic shoes, and they look less awful with pants-- so that's become my "outfit.") I guess seeing the Co-Cathedral is pretty much out for us. I guess it'll just be walking around Mdina (though isn't St Paul the main thing to see there?) and seeing the cliffs and Rabat. The 3 cities excursion is the other possibility.

Poss, please don't be put off Valletta just because you may not be able to see inside the Co-Cathedral. It is fantastic inside but there is so much to Valletta that is amazing. It's a wonderfully interesting small city with an incredible amount of history. If you do a search by clicking on my name, you will see my trip report we did after a trip to Malta and Sicily. We fell in love with Malta, it's a hidden gem in Europe.

Also, we visited a lot of churches in Malta and on Gozo and I seem to remember I was asked to wear a shawl to cover my head and shoulders. This was handed out as you entered. There were no other dress requirements I can recall. If you are going to be in Valletta anyway, I would try going to the Co-Cathedral, maybe timing it for the end of one of the services, and ask very politely if you could be allowed in. You may be lucky.

Kay

Agree 110% with Kay, Valletta is so much more than its famous churches; this 16th century walled city is so rich in history and just strolling the streets and marvelling at its two harbours is a feast for the eyes. Valletta and indeed all of Malta has so much more to offer, and although it’s perhaps no longer the ‘hidden’ gem, it is without a doubt still a gem! With the advent of more super-cruise ships visiting Valletta, the special sights do tend to get rather crowded, but on the other hand, most are open to cater for the influx.

Kay is correct too, that when visiting the many churches as a tourist there are shawls and slippers available to conform to the tourist-visit dress code. My comment about the locals’ customs of dress was for actual Sunday services, when churches are closed to tourists only wishing to tour the interiors.

If you take up Kay’s suggestion of hoping to be able to see the inside of St John’s on a Sunday between Mass services, then I think your chances of success will be enhanced if you are somewhat appropriately ‘Sunday’ dressed.

Whatever the outcome, do hope you will be as enchanted and bowled over by Valletta and Malta as I was!

St. John's Co-Cathedral is gorgeous, and I do hope you get a glimpse of it, but there is so much more in Valletta and its environs: one of my favorite places in the world is the Hypogeum (a short bus ride away.) You do need to book tickets there in advance, but it is open on Sunday. http://www.heritagemalta.org/sites/sites.html Check the Heritage Malta site linked there for the other museums and sites as well.

Here's a list of some possibilities; there's a picture link near the bottom:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-100-best.cfm

Anyone who would like to keep the list going, please do! :) I think Malta is wonderful, and we don't have an enormous amount of info on the forums here about it, so the more the merrier.