It is hard to miss the legacy of the Knights in Malta. No era has left such an imprint on the Islands as the 268-year rule of the Order.

Who were The Knights?

The Knights of Malta were a religious Roman Catholic and military order under its own Papal charter, which was established in the 11th century. The group was founded by Amalfian merchants in Jerusalem as a monastic order that ran a hospital to tend to Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. The Knights primary mission was to provide care for the sick, poor, or injured pilgrims returning from the Holy Land.

In 1530, after long moving from place to place in Europe, Pope Clement VII did an agreement with Charles V of Spain – the ruler of Malta as King of Sicily, to provide the knights permanent home on Malta, Gozo, and the North African port of Tripoli.

The Knights Hospital Malta

Interesting facts 

 

maltese cross

They gave the Islands one of its best-known emblem! That was the eight-pointed Maltese Cross.

The Maltese Cross was officially adopted by the Order of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John in 1126. Its eight points denote the eight obligations of the knights, namely “to live in truth, have faith, repent one’s sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and wholehearted, and to endure persecution”.

 

They gave the Islands one of its best-known emblem! That was the eight-pointed Maltese Cross.

The Maltese Cross was officially adopted by the Order of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John in 1126. Its eight points denote the eight obligations of the knights, namely “to live in truth, have faith, repent one’s sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and wholehearted, and to endure persecution”.

To this very day, the Maltese Cross remains the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

With time, the eight points also came to represent the eight national groupings of the noblemen who were admitted into the brotherhood, namely those of Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille, and Portugal, Italy, Baviere, and England (with Scotland and Ireland).

To this very day, the Maltese Cross remains the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

With time, the eight points also came to represent the eight national groupings of the noblemen who were admitted into the brotherhood, namely those of Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille, and Portugal, Italy, Baviere, and England (with Scotland and Ireland).

The Knights introduced as well several crafts and traditions which are still part of everyday life in Malta.

 A craft that particularly flourished under the Knights is gold and silverware. Malta’s most precious production is filigree and jewellery.

The Knights introduced as well several crafts and traditions which are still part of everyday life in Malta.

 A craft that particularly flourished under the Knights is gold and silverware. Malta’s most precious production is filigree and jewellery.

The Knights in Malta

The Ottomans weren’t happy to see the Knights re-established and developing in Malta and Tripoli, after allowing them to escape their previous stronghold of Rhodes. The Ottoman forces attacked Birgu and Fort St. Angelo, but soon they realized it was too well-fortified to be taken easily.

They decided to take Mdina instead, but the city was also up in arms and an attack was decided against.

Meanwhile, their fleet that lay anchored at Marsamxett harbour was under attack from relief forces. Changing plans again, the Ottomans attack Gozo and its Citadel. Although also heavily fortified, they took control over the island.

Malta Knights

Knowing that it wouldn’t be long for the Ottomans to try and take Malta again, the Knights set out to fortify Fort St. Angelo and built Fort St. Michael and Fort St. Elmo across the harbor.

Till  1565 the Knights still hoped to one day recapture Rhodes, but the Great Siege made them decide to stay in Malta and build a stronghold there. They recognized that the location could be a strategic value.

Malta Fort St.Angelo

Folk music is very strong in many Mediterranean countries, and Malta is no exception.

The “Ghanja”, meaning “song”, is the traditional music of Malta and sounds like something between a Sicilian ballad and rhythmic Arabian wailing. The first known form dates back to 1792 during the final years of the rule of the Knights of St John.

Folk music is very strong in many Mediterranean countries, and Malta is no exception.

The “Ghanja”, meaning “song”, is the traditional music of Malta and sounds like something between a Sicilian ballad and rhythmic Arabian wailing. The first known form dates back to 1792 during the final years of the rule of the Knights of St John.

The oldest medical mission in the world !

The oldest medical mission in the world !

 In the end, they transformed Malta from a bare island to a thriving stronghold with magnificent fortifications

They built various structures as part of major projects, most notably:

  • The city of Valletta, named in honour of Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette, who withstood the Ottomans.
  • Several hospitals, most notably La Sacra Infermeria in Valletta, became known to be one of the best hospitals in Europe. It also served as the School of Anatomy and Surgery in the 17th century.
  •  Several fortifications around the Grand Harbour area, including the Floriana and Santa Margherita Lines, as well as the Cottonera Lines.
  • The construction of several watchtowers around Malta and Gozo which together with improved coastline defence and served as an early warning system for invasions.
  •  Additional forts in strategic places, including Fort Ricasoli, Fort Tigné, Fort Manoel, and Fort Chambray in Gozo.
Malta Hop On Hop Off Bus San Anton Palace

During the 18th century, the Knights successfully obtained sovereign rule over Malta, cutting themselves loose from the Kingdom of Sicily.

That sovereign rule only lasted a few decades, with the rise of power of Napoleon and the growing dislike of the Knights among the Maltese.

Napoleon managed to seize Malta in 1798, with little resistance from the Knights, although the French themselves were ousted by Maltese revolutionaries who received support from Great Britain. Although the Knights tried to regain control, Malta became a colony of the British Empire officially in 1813.

 

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