We said goodbye to Elliot and started out wandering around Valetta. We were passing the Cathedral when we noticed that there was no line to enter. Even though it was close to closing time we decided to take advantage of this opportunity. We were very pleased with ourselves for this as there was no line and very few folks inside the cathedral. In the past we have suffered from Cathedral fatigue, but this place has us rejuvenated. It is so detailed and the decorations are of such a high quality that we were overawed. Even the floor of the cathedral was fantastic with marble inlay tombstones covering the entire floor. Add to that a few masterpieces by Caravaggio and we really had a great visit.
The Order of the Knights of St. John were in charge of this cathedral
A gilded age indeed
A bit disorienting
Many different large statues
The main alter
A side knave
Twisty columns
Down in the crypt we find Jean Valette, founder of Valetta
High ranking folks from the Order
Of the Knights of St John
A tombstone with marble inlay
Death is here to explain a few things
Three ravens
Such detail and color!
Looking towards the main altar
A huge silver candle holder and huge silver candlesticks
Very large
Lots to see
Organ pipes to the left
Organ piped to the right
Looking back the other way
A masterpiece in marble
Noce mustache
Flanked by skulls
Icon in the background
Supreme stonework
Such skill!
Dr Bones agrees
An extra large scythe
Look at all the marble tombstones
A fish with a crown
The Maltese rabbit, I had one for lunch
Perhaps the most artistic of the tombstones
The beheading of John the Baptist painted by Caravaggio in 1608 before he was tossed into the clink for brawling with an aristocrat. Incidentally this is the only painting that Caravaggio ever signed.
Great depth and detail
Some very worn flags
Getting to work on some of the decorations
Nerve wracking
Large and grand
Angles found in the smallest of places
A pulpit
Looking along the whole length from the exit
Bee and pearl
