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Private tour in Valletta Mario C
St John’s Co-Cathedral Valletta Tour: Caravaggio, Knights & Hidden Secrets
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2 hours
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2 hours
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Mario C.
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I am a dark history expert who will reveal Tales of the Terrible and Stories of the Strange on my thoroughly researched walking tours around the Maltese islands. Having spent years researching rare books, archives and academic papers, I now tell these stories on dark history walking tours that are designed to enlighten, educate and - above all - entertain. My tours take place both on the streets and inside fascinating buildings in Valletta, Mdina, Birgu and Senglea. I'm a native of both Malta and the UK and spent 15 years working as a journalist, ten of which were at the BBC in London. Now I combine my love and knowledge of Maltese history with the journalistic accuracy I employed while working on news stories in the UK, Malta, Israel and the West Bank, France and Sierra Leone. I was honoured to have won the top Maltese tourist guide award in 2024. Let me lead you into the shadows as we take a walk on the dark side of life in Malta...
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Mario C.
Hear Tales of Heroic Knights, Decipher Symbols on Their Tombs and See the World's Largest Caravaggio Painting
Overview of your Valletta tour
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 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”. Price includes entry into the Co-Cathedral. If your group is larger, or if you are a solo traveller, please message me for a personalised tour price.
Your Valletta tour itinerary
Start the tour outside the co-cathedral ticket office with a story of a knight of Malta who was buried in the doorway so you would walk on him Hear about the nave paintings, the golden walls and the tombs within 'The Most Beautiful Floor in the World' Tour several of the side chapels, hearing about the signs and symbols left for us by the knights buried there Hear about the dangerous life of Caravaggio and see two of his paintings, including his largest canvas Hear the shocking story about St Jerome Writing, the second of Caravaggio's paintings in the Co-Cathedral
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Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Walking
We will walk around the Co-Cathedral, which is also accessible by wheelchair.
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
St John's Co-Cathedral Museum, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta
We meet on the steps of the co-cathedral ticket office on Republic Street. Mario, your guide, will be at the meeting point dressed in black with blood-red trainers…
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2 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.