One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Valletta (28)
Church of St James
The church of St James at the corner of Triq il-Merkanti and Triq Melita was built in 1710 according to the design of the Italian architect Romano Carapecchia. It has a refined Baroque style with a highly ornate façade having various sculptural decorations. A secondary door was extant on the side of the church, however this has been walled up.
The interior of the church is centrally planned and has an elliptical shape, typical of the Baroque, with the major axis along the main door to the main altar and accented by high arches. The attic windows supply the church with natural light. The interior is endowed with sumptuous carvings and detailing typical of the Baroque.
When completed it must have made quite an impact on the local architectural scene as it was one of the most elegant Baroque churches to be built in the capital city.
Mepa scheduled the church of St James as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice No. 276/08 in the Government Gazette dated March 28.