Marble galore - Malta

The St John Cathedral floor is made out of 369 marble polychome rectangles - one rectangle per deceased knight. Imported from Italy, notably Carrara, the marble has been engraved and carved to representeach knight's the coat of arms. Built over 20 years towards the end of the sixteenth century, the cathedral is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, patron of the Maltese Order. Once finished, the cathedral overtook St. Paul's Cathedral of Mdina in size, that was the most important religious building on the island at the time. Designed by the architect Gerolamo Cassar, St. John's Cathedral is open to the public outside Mass. The entrance is on Republic Street.