Visitors to Valletta will soon get two unprecedented views of Valletta and St John’s Co-Cathedral.
On the one hand, the Fondazzjoni that runs St John’s has opened the balcony at the far end of the church. It is a somewhat hard climb – 45 steps in all – but those who venture it will get a different view of the church and a close look at Mattia Preti’s recently restored huge painting above them. They can also see the hooks from which the famous tapestries were hung before they were removed to the museum.
The balcony, restored by Preti during the time of Grand Master Cotoner including the widening of the small window in it and the addition of marble balustrades, can be also visited on Monday during an open day between 5pm and 8pm.
On the other hand, in an event that will be launched in the coming days, an art installation will open up for public viewing the huge cavern between the cathedral and the Law Courts from which rock later used in the building of the cathedral was taken.
Heritage Malta, which is also involved in the open day, will also be holding an open day at St Paul’s Catacombs and Domus Romana all day on Monday.