Malta’s Knights Hospitaller 

All around Malta and Gozo (the lesser-known “other island” of Malta), there are reminders of the major influence of the Knight’s Hospitaller (specifically, the Order of St John) which was founded during the Crusades. The Knights were in Malta starting in the mid-1500s and were driven out by Napoleon in 1798, so many of the buildings that are attractions on the island were built for their use.

St John’s Co-Cathedral

One site built by the Knights many visitors see is St John’s Co-Cathderal, an amazing Baroque vision of gold, marble, and paintings.

Fortifications

There are several forts, watch towers, and batteries on the island, that they also built. Before these constructions, Maltans were occasionally taken for slaves. The watch towers were brilliantly spaced so that each could be seen from the next to quickly spread the word of an attempted raid (using flags during the day and fires at night). This cut down on the raids by the Ottoman Empire/Turks.

Palaces

They also left behind several palaces, including the Grand Master’s Palace and the Inquisitor’s Palace (which is an intriguing place to check out with torture chambers in the basement). Another palace is now the Museum of Natural History. Finally, the Palace of San Anton has a garden which can be toured (the Palace itself is not open to the public).

Hospital

The Knights also built a huge hospital, now a conference center, but some vestiges of its former use remain. You can only get inside by getting a tour from the Malta Experience across the street. You don’t get to see much, but they will give you a good amount of information about the Knights and the hospital.