St. Catherine's Church, Valletta

St. Catherine's Church, Valletta

The Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, more commonly known as the Church of Saint Catherine of Italy, stands as a historic emblem of faith and cultural heritage in Valletta. Founded by the Hospitaller Langue of Italy, this Roman Catholic church was initially constructed in 1576 to cater to the spiritual needs of the Italian Knights of Saint John. Strategically positioned adjacent to the Auberge d'Italie, the church was a product of the architectural ingenuity of Girolamo Cassar, who was commissioned to design the building.

Throughout the 17th century, the church underwent significant enhancements, including the addition of an octagonal structure to complement the pre-existing chapel, which was subsequently transformed into the sanctuary. These modifications not only expanded the church's capacity but also enriched its architectural complexity.

The Church of Saint Catherine has witnessed extensive restoration efforts, particularly from 2001 to 2011, ensuring its preservation and continuous service to the Italian community in Malta as their parish church. This enduring role underscores the church's pivotal place within the local Italian community, offering a spiritual haven and a touchstone of cultural identity.

Notably, the church is recognized on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands, highlighting its significance in Malta's rich cultural landscape. The interior of the church houses a remarkable titular painting by Mattia Preti, depicting the martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. This masterpiece, a generous donation by Preti himself, along with the cupola adorned with painted stucco decorations and ornamental patterns in grey and gold, showcases Preti's artistic brilliance and contributes to the church's aesthetic and spiritual allure.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Valletta. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

St. Catherine's Church on Map

Sight Name: St. Catherine's Church
Sight Location: Valletta, Malta (See walking tours in Valletta)
Sight Type: Religious

Walking Tours in Valletta, Malta

Create Your Own Walk in Valletta

Create Your Own Walk in Valletta

Creating your own self-guided walk in Valletta is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Valletta Introduction Walking Tour

Valletta Introduction Walking Tour

Malta's capital city, Valletta, occupies the strategic peninsula between the Marsamxett and Grand Harbours. It is Europe's smallest capital city.

Valletta was founded in the 16th century. Many of the original buildings were built by the Knights Hospitaller. The city was named for Jean Parisot de Valette, famous for defending the island from the Ottomans during the Great Seige of Malta...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Valletta Architectural Landmarks Tour

Valletta Architectural Landmarks Tour

Following the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the knights of the Order of St John set about creating a city ‘built by gentlemen, for gentlemen’. The end result saw the island's capital become home to an array of elaborate Baroque buildings, some reflecting Mannerist features borrowed from neighboring Italy.

Many of these architectural monuments have proudly withstood the test of time...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles