The Museum of the Order of St John

The unique and fascinating story of an ancient religious military Order, from its origins caring for sick pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role with St John Ambulance, the international first aid charity.

What our visitors say

  • “When you feel the world is going mad, come here. You will see that for years and all over the world, some people care for others. Humanity is good. Thanks to all these people.”
  • "Lovely visit, my 5 year old son enjoyed the children's activity trail which we did together - very engaging, thank you!"
  • "Thank you to the kind man at reception who helped with Dad’s wheelchair! Great museum!"
  • "St John Ambulance saved my life on 1st March 2015 so I came here to learn more. Keep up the good work!"

News and events

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Free, Special Event

Thursday 26th July

2:30 - 7:30pm
Introducing St John Ambulance: caring in communities since 1080

Jump on board our St John Ambulance and take a journey through time to discover the stories of people who spend their lives caring for others. Join our brass band, make and shake your collecting tin, and collect prizes as you hunt for clues on the Museum trail.  Watch living history demonstrations, practise your first aid and get hands on with history!

This event is brought to you in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project History of First Aid in Britain and France 1909 – 1989, and the British Red Cross Museum and Archive.

All activities are free and most are drop-in although, for living history and first aid demonstrations*, please see below for timings:

2.45pm and 5.00pm Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

3.30pm and 5.45pm First aid during the First World War

4.15pm and 6.30pm Cold War: blasts, burns and chemical warfare

*Each demonstration will last approximately 30 minutes

READ MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS
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We have been shortlisted for a Family Friendly Museum Award!

We are proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for Kid’s In Museum’s Family Friendly Museum Award! Kids in Museums is a national charity dedicated to ensuring that all children, young people and families feel welcomed and involved in museums and other heritage sites. We are very proud of our free family programme and think that it’s worth celebrating! We hope to see lots of families at our events through out the summer.

READ MORE ABOUT HIRING OUR VENUES
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#Valletta2018, 10 Minute Talk

Wednesday 8th August

12:30pm
Maltese Crossings: British visits to Malta in the 1800s

In 1798 the Knights of St John were banished from Malta by Napoleon. Two years later the island became a British protectorate. In the 19th Century curious British visitors, including many artists, flocked to Malta to experience its unique architecture, landscape and culture.

Join our latest free talk to explore the unique British fascination with Malta, with an opportunity to see rare tour guides and souvenirs from our collections.

 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS
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#Valletta2018, Free Family Activity

Wednesday 25th July

12:30 - 3:30pm
Perilous Pirates Drop-in craft, Storytelling from 1:30 – 2:30pm

Piracy was common along the coast of Malta during the Knight’s rule. Get ready to be transported to the Maltese seas whilst you listen to tales of swashbuckling pirates and create your own moving pirate ship.

 

READ MORE ABOUT OUR EVENTS
  • View of the interior of the Priory Church of the Order of St John The Priory Church of the Order of St John. Photography by Shaun Le Gassick
  • View of the interior of the Crypt of the Priory Church of the Order of St John The Crypt. Photography by Shaun Le Gassick
  • View of the Link Gallery of the Museum of the Order of St John The Link Gallery. © MOSJ
  • ALT= The Cloister Garden. © MOSJ
  • ALT= The Chapter Hall. © MOSJ

Blog

18th Century painting of Valletta and the Three Cities. Looks onto the city and the harbors from the sea.
Uncategorized

The French Revolution and the Loss of Malta

Posted 18 July 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Isobel MacAuslan, Museum Assistant

In our collection we hold a letter sent by a member of the French Order of St John in the year 1789. Whilst the majority of the letter is concerned with the death of the Commander of Golfech, there are a number of references to the troubling... Read more

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ALT="" Liam holding the Bonham Memorial Cup
Learning, History

The story of a trophy: work experience at the Museum

Posted 9 June 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Liam, work experience student

[caption id="attachment_15826" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Liam holding the Bonham Memorial Cup[/caption] Hi, my name is Liam and I'm a student at Hertford Regional College. I wanted to do my work experience at the Museum of the Order of St... Read more

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Techno Medioevo exhibition graphics
Exhibition

Techno Medioevo: Age of Future Reloaded

Posted 1 May 2018
Museum of the Order of St John

Scenes, Visions and Fragments from an Alternative History 1st March – 16th June 2018   What would the past have been like in the Middle Ages if the future had happened before? Inspired by this statement, TECHNO MEDIOEVO: Age... Read more

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ALT="painting by Caravaggio of three men at a table, two playing cards while the third secretly signals to his accomplice, who is hiding cards behind his back"
Art, History, Conservation

Caravaggio: Facts and Fiction

Posted 27 April 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Tom Foakes, Head of Heritage

Image courtesy of Sir Denis Mahon Charitable Trust   Both the painter, Caravaggio, and his painting of The Cardsharps, on display at the Museum of the Order of St John, are controversial. Caravaggio led a short and dramatic life that... Read more

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Engraving, 1646 by Matthaeus Merian. Credit: Wellcome Collection CC BY
Wednesday Talks

Disease and Dissection: A history of surgery in Malta

Posted 14 March 2018
Museum of the Order of St John Sharda Rozena, Museum Assistant

When the Order of St John was granted the island of Malta in 1530, surgical techniques and practices radically improved. Read more

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Sponsors

The Museum of the Order of St John would like to thank all those who have supported and continue to support its work. In particular, the Museum would like to thank the following for their generosity: