St John's Square

In the middle of the square, facing the parvis and entrance to the cathedral, there is a small monument to former Prime Minister of Malta Enrico Mizzi, sculpted in 1964 by Vincent Apap (1909–2003).

To the left and right of the cathedral entrance, are the Lion and Unicorn fountains, sculpted out of the native limestone by Maltese sculptor Mariano Gerada (1766–1823),[1] which originally featured water transported to Valletta from the highlands around Mdina by means of the Wignacourt Aqueduct.

A decision to remove some or all of these trees due to the potential damage that their roots might cause to the cathedral's priceless marble floors, was met with considerable public outcry.

These trees are considered an important bird area for the white wagtail, which migrates from European breeding grounds every year to spend the winter in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and northeastern Africa.

[4] This decision is being challenged by, among others, the Valletta Rehabilitation Project, whose executive co-ordinator has been quoted as saying, "St John's is mostly built on solid rock, so there are no vaults through which the roots could penetrate the church as has been suggested.