St. Paul's Cathedral, Grand Harbour Travel Guide

St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, officially the Pro-Cathedral and Collegiate Church of Saint Paul, is an Anglican pro-cathedral of the Diocese in Europe, situated in Independence Square, Valletta. A 'pro-cathedral' is a church with cathedral status, though not being the main cathedral. It is one of three cathedrals of the Anglican Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe.The cathedral's origins are rooted in the 19th century when Dowager Queen Adelaide commissioned its construction after discovering the lack of an Anglican place of worship in Malta. Built between 1839 and 1844, the cathedral was designed by William Scamp in the Neo-Classical style. The original plans were designed by Richard Lankasheer; however, the building proved unstable, thus work had to resume on plans by Scamp in 1841. The site chosen was that of the Auberge d'Allemagne, formerly home to the German Knights Hospitaller.The cathedral's spire rises to over 60 meters (200 feet) and is a recognizable landmark. The interior features Corinthian columns and a painting behind the main altar titled 'Ecce Homo' by A E Chalon. During World War II, the cathedral sustained damage, including a collapsed roof, but was rebuilt with a pulpit incorporated into the screen dedicated to Sir Winston Churchill. Today, St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral stands as a symbol of Valletta's religious history, architectural diversity, and communal identity.