Category Archives: History

May 18,  1565,  the fleet is sighted approaching the island of Malta.   Against this massive army, stood the 700 knights Hospitallers and 8000 soldiers.  The  Knights prepared themselves in their fortifications. A star shaped fort named St. Elmo was built … Continue reading →

The Hospitallers  were  politically, more astute then the Templars.  In 1306 the Grand Master of the Hospitalers  was  approached about occupying the  Island of Rhodes. He recognizes a new mission with strategic importance that placed the Order once again on … Continue reading →

From these roots the Order began its dual mission of supporting hospitals and a military arm to protect pilgrims.  This mission quickly expanded with the parallel development of the Knights Templar and Teutonic Knights. At the high tide of the … Continue reading →

The  significance of this symbol, the  8 pointed cross, known as the Cross of St. John, later known as the Maltese Cross is of interest.  It is said that each point represents one of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on … Continue reading →

By 1113 ,  Pope Pascal II recognized the group as an Order. The Order’s transition from a hospitaller order to a military order, parallels the creation of the Knights Templar in 1119.  Simply put, the Order needed to recruit Knights … Continue reading →

The roots of the Order of St. John (as well as the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights) are found in the goal of the Crusaders to secure the Holy sites and protect pilgrims in their passage to and from … Continue reading →

Suleiman the Magnificent and his  generals and admirals ,  devised a military plan of conquest,  a straight forward one, seize control of  Malta  with its grand harbor,  and it becomes a great base of operation for ranging westward to Spain … Continue reading →

From Malta’s location, it has always been a strategic position for any expanding power moving either east or west through the sea lanes or as a stepping stone  north / south route to or from the Italian peninsula.   In 1560’s, … Continue reading →

The geographical location of the island of Malta is the key to its significance. This island located in the straits between North Africa and the island of Sicily,  with its magnificent natural harbor on its northeast coast, has drawn attention … Continue reading →

Malta !   This battle, along with the naval battle at Lepanto, was one of the most heralded victories  that took place in the the struggle against the expanding power of the Ottoman Empire. It represents the high tide of the … Continue reading →