Of the three main islands of the Maltese Archipelago, the island of Malta is the largest. Located just 80 kilometers from the Sicilian coast, 284 km from Tunisia and 333 km from Libya, Malta has in recent years become one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations. A real jewel immersed in the Mediterranean Sea that everyone really likes: tourists who can spend a dream holiday here; to young people who choose it as a holiday destination but also to improve and deepen the English language; to retirees who can relax lulled by the waves of the sea.
The island also boasts an ancient history that has been conquered since ancient times: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and then Normans, Knights of St. John, French and English. All these civilizations have left more or less profound traces in its cultural past.
The capital, Valletta, is a vibrant and dynamic city with numerous buildings dating back to the 16th century, teeming with cathedrals, palaces and forts. The main attraction, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is the Hypogeum, a macabre necropolis about 1,600 meters underground and the only prehistoric underground temple in the world.
St John’s Cathedral is a Baroque pearl reflecting the legacy of the Knights of St John in Valletta. It is one of the essential visits of Malta due to the contrast between its austere facade and the richness of its interiors, which does not leave its visitors indifferent.
It is possible to see the marble sheets of the central nave under which 400 knights of the Order are buried, including the founder of the Maltese capital, Jean Parisot de la Vallette.
It is a symbolic temple of Maltese Baroque, and its manicured decorations laden with gold motifs are hard to find anywhere else in the country. The cathedral consists of a central nave and eight side chapels that symbolize the different languages spoken by the Order.
Certainly, one of the main attractions of the cathedral are the two paintings by Caravaggio kept inside. The Beheading of St. John is the most important work and presides over a large room adjoining the cathedral. Another work present is the writing San Girolamo, smaller but full of symbolism.
(0 rating, 1 votes)
Loading...
