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Malta

- The history of Malta dates back over 7,000 years and has been influenced by various civilizations including the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, and Knights of St. John who ruled from 1530-1798. British rule lasted from 1800-1964 when Malta gained independence. - Maltese culture and heritage is reflected in its architecture, museums, and collections that blend past and present. The arts, including theatre, music, and visual arts play a large role in Maltese culture with various venues and frequent cultural events. - Key sites that showcase Malta's rich cultural history include the Grandmasters' Palace, Sacra Infermeria conference center, St. James

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Diana Mancipe
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414 views2 pages

Malta

- The history of Malta dates back over 7,000 years and has been influenced by various civilizations including the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, and Knights of St. John who ruled from 1530-1798. British rule lasted from 1800-1964 when Malta gained independence. - Maltese culture and heritage is reflected in its architecture, museums, and collections that blend past and present. The arts, including theatre, music, and visual arts play a large role in Maltese culture with various venues and frequent cultural events. - Key sites that showcase Malta's rich cultural history include the Grandmasters' Palace, Sacra Infermeria conference center, St. James

Uploaded by

Diana Mancipe
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History

- The history of Malta is a long and colourful one dating back to the dawn of civilisation.

- The Maltese Islands went through a golden Neolithic period, the remains of which

include the mysterious temples dedicated to the goddess of fertility.

- Later on, the fenisionh, the gardenyenias, the Romans and the Byzantines, all left

their traces on the Islands.

- In 60 A.D. St. Paul was shipwrecked on the island while on his way to Rome and

brought Christianity to Malta.

- Malta was an extension of Sicily: The Normans, the Aragonese and other conquerors

who ruled over Sicily also governed the Maltese Islands.

- It was Charles V who bequeathed Malta to the Sovreign Military Order of St. John of

Jerusalem who ruled over Malta from one thousand five hundred and thirty to

one thousand seven hundred ninety-eight.

- The artistic and cultural lives of the Maltese Islands were injected with the presence of

artists such as Caravaggio, Mattia Preti and Favray who were commissioned by the

Knights to embellish churches, palaces and auberges.

- In one thousand seven hundred ninety-eight , Napoleon Bonaparte took over Malta

from the Knights on his way to Egypt.

- The French presence on the islands was short lived, as the English, who were

requested by the Maltese to help them against the French, blockaded the islands in

one thousand eight hundred.

- British rule in Malta lasted until one thousand nine hundred sixty-four when Malta

became independent.

- The Maltese adopted the British system of public administration, education and

legislation.
- Modern Malta became a Republic in

One thousand, nine hundred and seventy-four.

The foreign military bases on the island closed down permanently in one thousand nine

hundred seventy-nine
- . Malta joined the European Union in May 2004 and the Eurozone in January of 2008.

Culture and Heritage


With 7,000 years of history, the Maltese Islands are steeped in culture and heritage. 

This historic legacy, unique in the Mediterranean, is reflected in the country’s national
architecture and collections. There are so many areas of heritage and culture to be explored –
the 16th century masterpiece Grandmasters’ Palace, the “Sacra Infermeria”, which is now a
fully equipped conference centre, the St. James Centre for Creativity – a superbly restored
fortification where contemporary works of art are exhibited against the original rough-textured
walls and rediscovered spaces. With these buildings, past and present blend into an enduring
and admirable lesson in the art of living.

The arts have always played a large role in Maltese culture and continue to do so with cultural
events occurring frequently. The National Museum of Fine Arts - MUZA, housed in the
historic Auberge d’Italie, exhibits some magnificent art, ranging from the early Renaissance to
modern times. Both established and budding artists are encouraged to display their efforts
through publicly-supported programs. There is always an exhibition of some kind running. 

Theatre and music are also very popular in the Islands. A variety of theatres - including the
Valletta's Manoel Theatre and two opera houses in Victoria (Gozo) - as well as several open-
air venues offer wide selection of plays, musicals, operas and concerts.

For a list of Museums & Galleries, Archaeological Sites and other places of interest, visit
our Attractions page or use the Interactive Map above.

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