Valletta in the Rain

It POURED. This ended up being our coldest day of the whole trip. I was bummed that the church built where Paul was shipwrecked was closed, but enjoyed learning more history on our tour.

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The Knights of Malta, officially known as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, is a chivalric order that began as a hospice for pilgrims in Jerusalem in the 11th century. Founded by the Blessed Gerard, the organization originally provided care for the sick and poor in the Holy Land. After the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem, the order became a military order under its own charter, responsible for the defense of the Holy Land and the care of the sick.

In 1530, after being driven from Rhodes by the Ottomans, the Knights were granted Malta by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. They fortified the island, turning it into a naval base that played a crucial role in defending Christian Europe from Ottoman invasion, most notably during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

The Knights ruled Malta until they were expelled by Napoleon in 1798. Today, the order is recognized as a sovereign entity under international law. It maintains diplomatic relations with many countries and focuses on its original hospice mission through humanitarian, medical, and relief efforts worldwide. The Knights' legacy is particularly evident in Malta, where their architectural and cultural influence remains a significant aspect of the island's heritage.Read more