One final shot from St John’s Co-cathedral. This is the floor of the cathedral completely covered with tomb stones of the important people of the Order of St John. The elaborate designs and marble works are amazing to see. Visitors are not allowed to enter the cathedral with high heels or heels that could damage the marble works.
The cathedral was built between 1573 and 1578 as a plain conventual church for the Order designed by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar. This is still very evident from the simplicity of the façade of the cathedral. In the 17th century, its interior was redecorated in the Baroque style by Mattia Preti and other artists. The interior of the church is considered to be one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe.
The cathedral is open everyday for prayers and church celebrations. Tourists are allowed in after the daily services are over. The tapestries however will only remain in place till the 29th June when Malta will celebrate the feast of St’s Peter and Paul which is known as ‘L-Imnarja’ and is one of the main folklore feasts and public holidays with a very long history. From then on they will be exhibited at the Cathedral Museum. They will probably be hung again on special days and celebrations.
Thank you very much for all your views, for your comments and for the fav's on yesterday's picture.
Tomb stones are very common in churches. When you could affort it you could be barried in a church closer to God. In our country we have the saying for rich people : they are : ``rijke stinkers`` . +/- Rich and smelling .
Ian