Maltas History and Historic Attractions

If you like history, you'll love this place. Its position at the hub of ancient trading routes meant that nearly every great civilization in the history of the world has left its mark here - the Phoenicians, the Arabs, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottoman Turks, the crusader Knights, the French and the British. It was the Knights of the Order of St. John however, who left a lasting impact on the island.

WITH THE OLDEST STONE TEMPLES IN THE WORLD The story of the Maltese islands goes back to pre-history when, it is often believed, these formed part of a land bridge that joined Europe to North Africa. Its strategic position at the hub of ancient trading routes meant that nearly every great civilization has had a desire to conquer this Island.  Malta hosts the oldest known structures in the world (older than the Pyramids), with megalithic temples that date back as far as 3800 BC

Maltese ancestry is riddled with influences from the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Normans, Spanish and French. The British were the last to leave and in 1964 Malta became independent.

Malta's main occupying force were by the Knights of St.John of Jerusalem. In exchange for the mere rental of two Maltese falcons a year, the island was given to the Knights by the King of Spain. You might recognise the Maltese Cross (used by St.John's Ambulance), which is the insignia of the Knights of Malta. Known throughout the world for their bravery, 700 knights and 8000 Maltese (with a little help from their Sicilian friends), managed to withstand an invasion of 30,000 Turks. The Knights and the Maltese were hailed as the saviours of Europe. Rejoicing in their victory, they were given money and expert advice towards the building of the Fortress City of Valetta (Malta's capital), magnificent churches and lavish palaces.

Others who tried to conquer include Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler. It was once said that Malta was the most bombed place on earth. Despite massive bombing, the Maltese people earned the George Cross medal from King George VI (April 1942). Its no wonder that film producers make Malta the ideal choice for movie backdrops such as Gladiator and the up and coming movie Troy, starring Brad Pitt and Australia's own Eric Baner.

So if crusading knights and all things old and charming aren't your cup of tea, what about a little bit of sunshine? The summers are hot and very sunny. The Sirocco winds from north Africa influence Malta's climate and their overall Mediterranean culture. If you like crystal clear blue waters, visibility is up to 30metres making it ideal for diving. In summer the days have more than 12 hours of sunshine leaving plenty of time to explore the various islands, as well as taking an occasional drink in the multitude of night clubs and bars. The Maltese people are always friendly and welcoming. The rays of sunshine, beautiful tans and the various nationalities over the centuries have made the Maltese people definitely easy on the eye and a beautiful race.

So will language be a problem? The two official languages are Maltese and English, with a majority of citizens speaking Italian. The Maltese language could be considered as a cross between Italian and classic Arabic. It is the only Semitic language which is written in Roman alphabet.

Gozo

Over the centuries Gozo, like Malta, was ruled by the powerful nations of the time, including Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs.

Despite the small nature of the island, there is a lot to see. Besides the Citadel, and the Ggantija megalithic temples, one finds the equally impressive Inland Sea at Dwejra and Fungus Rock, where the Knights used to collect a fungus they believed to have medicinal properties. Then there is the Azure Window, a stunning break in the rocky shoreline, Ta' Pinu Basilica which is a centre of pilgrimage, and the new church at Xewkija with one of the world's largest free - standing domes.

At the centre of Gozo, commanding a superb view of the island, is the Citadel (Cittadella) which for centuries served as the islanders' safest sanctuary, and after the Great Siege of 1565, the Knights set about encircling it with battlements. For many years the inhabitants were required by law to spend their nights within its walls for their own safety.

Today, the Citadel stands as proudly as it ever did. An earthquake in 1693 damaged many of the buildings within its walls but, with the help of UNESCO, these are being restored to their former glory.

Malta's Historic Timeline.........

Around 5000 BC

Neolithic farmers arrive

.5000-4000BC

Neolithic period. Skorba Temples built

4000- 3000 BC

Temple Period. Age of Tarxien and Ggantija temples and Hal saflieni Hypogeum

2500-700BC

Bronze and Iron age. Period of fortified villages and `cart tracks`

700-550 BC

Phoenicians colonize the islands.

550-218 BC

Period of Carthiaginian rule

218BC

Romans annexe Malta in their strategy to win the Second Punic War.

AD60

St. Paul is Shipwrecked on Malta and brings Christianity

5th Century

Roman Power diminishes; Vandal Raids

6th Century

Byzantine empire gains control

870

The Arabs conquer Malta

1090

Roger the Norman, ruler of Scicily and parts of southern Italy, takes Malta from the Arabs.

1194

Malta (with Scicily) becomes part of the German Hohenstaufen empire

1266

Charles of Anjou takes over the kingdom of Scicily, of which Malta is part.

1282

Riots against the French rule in Scicily. King Pedro I of Aragon defeats Charles of Anjou; Sicily and Malta come under the kingdom of Aragon.

Mid-15th Century

Emergence of universal, or local governing body, under Aragonese rutelage

1429

Malta is attacked by the Muslims

Early 16th Century

Having declined economically and culturally, Malta is now little more than a rock with a population of about 20,000

1530

Emperor Charles V of Spain grants the Maltese Islands to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The Knights occupy the Islands making Bigu (Modern Vittoriosa) their headquaters.

1565

The Great Siege of Malta

1566

The City of Valletta is founded

1571

The Maltese capital is formerly moved from Birgu to Valletta. A Christian fleet, assisted by the Knights, inflicts defeat on th Ottomans at Lepanto.

1676

Plague causes 8,569 deaths

1735

Sicillian ports are closed to Maltese ships after the Grand Master Vilhena resists Charles VIII attempt to influence Maltese affairs.

Late 18th century

The Order becomes demilitarised and corrupted by wealth.

1792

The French National Assembly confiscates the Orders lands in France.

1798

Napoleon takes Malta and plunders the islands. The Order of St. John is ordered to leave the Island. The Maltese rise up against the French; helped by the British, they besiege the main French garrison.

1800

The French capitulate and the British occupy the Island

1802

The Treaty of Amiens stipulates that Malta should be returned to the Knights, but a powerful group of Maltese declares allegiance to Britain.

1813

Sir Thomas Maitland is appointed as the first British Governor of Malta. Extensive constitutional and administrative reforms are made.

1814

The Treaty of Paris formally recognises Malta as a British Colony.

1848

The British Admiralty`s first dry dock opens on Malta

1853-6

During the Crimean War, Malta acts as a supply station for British forces

1869

The opening of the Suez Canal makes Malta an important port on the British route to India.

1914-18

World War I. Malta becomes `the nurse of the mediterranean` providing 25,000 beds for the wounded

1921

Malta is granted self-government `in matters of local concirn`

1940

Italy enters World War II

1942

The Second Great Siege. Over 60,000 tonnes of bombs are droped on Malta in April alone. On 15th April the George Cross is awarded to the Maltese people for their bravery during the air raids.. In August and September, the German and Italian forces suffer heavy losses over Malta and in October they concede defeat. The UK government announces a grant of 30million for the reconstruction for the reconstruction of the Island.

1962

The state of Malta formally comes into being with Dr. Borg Olivier as its first Prime minister.

1964

Malta is granted full independence within the British Commonwealth, though British Forces remain.

1974

Malta is decalred a republic

1979

British forces finally leave Malta

1989

Presidents Bush and Gorbachov meet on a ship moored off Malta

1990

Malta applies for full membership of the European Community