Best The History of Malta Island 1964: Malta History and Culture

About Malta History Timeline

The Malta history and Culture Timeline: Malta is one of the smallest countries on the European continent, its role in the history of Europe has been of great importance. Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French.

The Timeline Of Malta history
The Timeline Of Malta history

The History on Malta Country

  • Total Area of Malta:  316 sq km
  • Capital of Malta: Valletta
  • Language of Malta : Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.)
  • Continent of Malta: Europe

Valletta- Marked as UNESCO World Heritage Site

Most importantly, Valletta is the capital of Malta. It is built and constructed on a peninsula which is located in the eastern part of Malta. In addition to, this entire and whole town is marked and identified as UNESCO World Heritage Site. This town actually and mainly sits on the top section of Mount Sceberras. Besides, it manages to show wonderful examples and sites of baroque architecture. Some of the main attractions of this Malta capital are St. John’s Cathedral and the Grand Harbour.

Religion of Malta Country

Roman Catholic (official) more than 90%

Ancient History About Malta Timeline

Malta History During the last Ice Age, Malta was a high mountain linked to Italy by land. However, when the Ice Age ended about 10,000 years ago, sea level rose and Malta became a group of islands. However, some 5,200 stone age farmers came to Malta from Sicily and began cultivating the land.

The first farmers in Malta made simple tools from stone and wood. They also made pottery. Despite their primitive tools, Stone Age farmers created an advanced society. From 3,600 BC to 2,500 BC they built large temples in Malta, including those at Tarxien. They also carved the Hypogeum, a series of underground chambers, into the rock. The temple-building culture in Malta ended around 2,500 BC, and it is still unknown why. On the other hand, the Maltese began to use bronze tools and weapons. It is unclear whether a new breed migrated to Malta at that time or whether Stone Age farmers learned to use bronze from other Mediterranean peoples.

Around 800 BC the Phoenicians sailed to Malta. The Phoenicians were a highly civilized people of what is now Lebanon. They were great sailors and merchants and gave Malta its name. They called it Malet, which means refuge or refuge. Around 480 B.C. the Phoenicians founded a city called Carthage on the north coast of Africa.

the history of Malta Island
the history of Malta Island

Antiquity of Malta Country History

Early History of Malta Timeline: Malta has been inhabited since 5200 BC, when the first human sediments arrived on the archipelago from Sicily. Around 1200 BC, the Phoenicians settled on the island during Carthage’s expansion over the Mediterranean. As we know, the Phoenicians were traders and sailors and used Malta as an important base of their fervent activities for over 300 years. Many of the peculiar linguistic characteristics of the Maltese language originate in this period, and the Phoenicians are also responsible for the introduction of glass processing and the refinement of construction techniques

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Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs in Malta

History About Malta Country: From 800 BC Malta belonged to the Phoenicians, who used the islands as a supply stop on their trade routes through the Mediterranean. They were replaced by the Carthaginians of North Africa, who occupied the island for 250 years.

The Roman Empire seized Malta during the Second Punic War. During Roman rule, the island lived a prosperous stage, the size of the cities tripled and important urban improvements were carried out.

According to the Bible, the apostle Paul landed in Malta in 60 A.D. and spread Christianity throughout the archipelago. It is believed that he took refuge in the Catacombs of St. Paul and that he lived for a time in Mdina, until he returned to Rome to be tried.

After the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire, the Byzantines occupied Malta for almost four centuries, until giving way to the Arabs at the end of the ninth century. The population converted to Islam to avoid reprisals and adopted some of its customs. The current Maltese language comes from Arabic and maintains many of its sounds.

Late Middle Ages in Malta

Late mid history about Malta Timeline: In the year 1090, the history of Malta took an unexpected turn when the Normans of Sicily arrived on the island and wrested power from the Arabs. When the Crown of Aragon seized power in Sicily in the thirteenth century, Malta became part of its territory.

In 1530, King Charles I, who had unified in his person the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile, ceded Malta to the Knights of the Order of Jerusalem in exchange for the symbolic delivery of a falcon each year.

Middle Ages The History of Malta Island

What is The history of Malta timeline? Arab rule was ended by the Normans. In 1090 a Norman named Count Roger captured Malta. In 1091 he had also expelled the Arabs from Sicily. For a time, Malta became part of the Kingdom of Sicily.

However, the Sicilian kings took little interest in Malta and left the Maltese to mind their own business. Then, in 1266, Malta and Sicily were captured by the French. However, in 1283 Malta was captured by the Aragonese (Aragon was part of Spain).

In 1412 Malta passed to the kings of Castile (another part of Spain), but made no difference to the common Maltese. For them, life was still normal. Eventually Castile and Aragon were united and Malta became part of the powerful Spanish Empire. However, Malta changed hands again in 1530. The Spanish king granted Malta to the Knights of St. John. Who were they? In the eleventh century, Europeans undertook journeys called pilgrimages to Jerusalem. In 1048 some Italian merchants founded an order of monks called the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

They took care of sick pilgrims. In 1113 the order was formally recognized by the Pope. However, at that time the Christians were fighting in the Crusades against the Muslims. The Order of St. John began to fight against Muslims and to care for sick pilgrims. So they became the Knights of St. John. However, in 1291 the Muslims expelled the Christians from Israel. The Knights of St. John first went to Cyprus, but in 1310 they moved to Rhodes. However, in 1523 the Turks captured Rhodes and the Knights were left homeless until the Spanish king gave them Malta in 1530.

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It wasn’t a big prize. Malta was arid and infertile and fresh water was scarce. The people were poor. However, the Knights of St. John made Malta their home.

In 1562 the Inquisition was established in Malta. The job of this evil organization was to hunt down and punish ‘heretics’ (anyone who disagreed with the teachings of the Catholic Church). The Maltese Inquisition was not abolished until 1798.

The Siege Of Malta

Siege in Malta History: The Knights of St. John continued to fight the Turks, so finally in 1565 the Turks decided to try to capture Malta. They sent a fleet of 81 ships with more than 30,000 soldiers on board. The Turkish navy arrived in Malta on 18 May 1565 and sailed to Marsaxlokk Bay. His soldiers landed and camped on the plain of Marsa.

In 1565 the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John was a Frenchman named Jean Parisot de la Valette (1494-1568). He was 70 years old, but he was brave. However, the Maltese were only able to muster a force of about 9,000 men. All of them fled in the shelter of walled cities, Birgu (Vittoriosa), L’Isla (Senglea) and Mdina. They took their pets with them.

First of all, the Turks decided to capture Fort St. Elmo, which was located only on the Sciberras Peninsula, on the siege of Valletta. They bombarded the fort, which resisted valiantly until June 23, 1565.

Although the Turks eventually captured the fort, it was a Pyrrhic victory. They lost 8,000 men, about a quarter of their entire army in the siege. Its commander, Dragut Rais, was among the dead. Then the Turks beheaded 4 Knights they had captured and nailed them to the crosses. They were sent floating through the harbor to Fort San Angelo. Grand Master La Valette beheaded the Turkish prisoners and fired their heads from the cannons.

The Turks then attempted to capture Birgu (Vittoriosa) and L’Isla (Senglea), but failed and suffered heavy losses. An aid force of 8,000 Sicilians arrived northeast of Malta on 7 September and shortly thereafter the Turks abandoned the siege and withdrew.

History of The Knights of Malta

The Knights of the Order of Malta: Knights of the Order of St. John settled in Malta in 1530, after being expelled from Jerusalem by the Ottoman Empire. During the 250 years they spent in Malta, they carried out a profound restoration of the island in all aspects.

They built important bastions and defensive structures, such as Fort St. Elmo, and settled mainly in Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa, the Three Cities of Malta. Undoubtedly, the great contribution of the knights was to provide the island with its most characteristic emblem: the eight-pointed cross. It is believed that each represented one of the eight nationalities of the knights.

One of the greatest achievements of the Knights Hospitaller was to resist the Great Siege of Malta and fight the Ottoman troops who tried to invade the island with more than twice as many soldiers. After the victory of the knights, the Master of the Order Jean Parisot de la Valette founded the capital of Malta: Valletta.

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In 1798, Napoleon’s troops took Malta and expelled the Knights of the Order. The Maltese rebelled and the French had to retreat and take refuge in Fort San Telmo. The population asked Britain for help and two years later the English troops entered the island… to stay.

Malta and the British Empire

British Colonial in Malta History: The British soon understood Malta’s value as a colony in the Mediterranean and, in the Treaty of Paris of 1814, the island became part of the British Empire. During the 150 years of English occupation, the Maltese adopted many of the settlers’ customs, such as languagebusiness hours and driving on the left.

During World War II, the Axis air force bombed Malta, reducing its most important cities to rubble. Only three Maltese aircraft fought relentlessly against the Italian and German air fleets. For this, the British King George VI, honored the heroism of the Maltese people with the Cross of St. George, which today stands on the flag of the country.

History about Malta Country Island
History about Malta Country Island

Timeline History of The Malta Independence 

Timeline Malta History Independence:  Malta gained independence from Britain in 1964, but Queen Elizabeth II remained its sovereign. Ten years later, Malta became a totally autonomous republic, although British generals did not withdraw from the territory until 1979. Today, Malta is part of the Commonwealth. With Malta’s entry into the European Union in 2004, the country received funds that were used in urban planning projects and for the protection of its historical heritage.

Malta History and Culture

Għana is Malta’s own unique folk music. Although Għanneja (folk singers) are a dying breed in Malta, the trade is still upkept by some. In fact, Għanafest (a two day folk singing festival), is held annually in an attempt to revive interest in folk music. The Maltese have craft in their blood. Whether it’s glass-blowing, or lace weaving; they excel at it all. Visit Malta’s craft village, Ta’ Qali, or  Ta’ Dbiegi in Gozo to experience a true crafting experience. Souvenirs Malta the final products make for unique souvenirs and decor for your loved ones back home.

History of Maltese Dogs

History of the Maltese dog: The origins of this breed go back to 500 BC, when it was highly appreciated by Roman women. Contrary to popular belief, the name of the breed comes from Màlat (which in Semitic means “refuge”, “port”) and not from the island of Malta. It is no coincidence, in fact, that the ancestors of this dog lived in the ports of the Mediterranean where they were entrusted with the task of driving away mice. It is a very common dog in our country. the Maltese dog boasts ancient origins.

There is evidence of the existence of this dog from peoples such as the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians, thanks to which we can say that this animal was known and widespread as early as 500 BC. Malta history.

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References 

History of Malta – itMalta (italiani.it)

History of Malta, come and discover the millennial history of the archipelago of Malta (ef-italia.it)

History of Malta – Past, present and future of Malta (scoprimalta.it)

Malta – The World Factbook (cia.gov)