Travels in the 2nd half

Relief Gate   Malta has played a key role in the history of military battles in the Mediterranean Sea. So, it is no surprise that one of the first things that the Knights Hospitaller did when they were given control of the island was to construct a fort. Fort St. Elmo By Dion Hinchcliffe via commons.wikimedia.org Construction began on Fort St. Elmo in 1552. It was designed to occupy the tip of the Sciberras Peninsula. From this position it could protect the newly rising city of Valletta, and the entrances to both the Grand and Marsamxett Harbors. During the Great Siege of 1565, the Fort was the site of major battles between the Knights and the Turkish forces.  Relief Gate A World War II observation tower Over the centuries, Fort St. Elmo has been modified and modernized. During the British colonial era, there were tremendous changes to the internal buildings including the construction of new barracks and offices. They also built many support structures around the outside the ...

Clock Tower in the Grand Master's Palace   The country of Malta has a long history of art, architecture and politics. When you visit, there are many great ways to explore that history. In the city of Valletta, two of the places to definitely see are The Grand Master’s Palace and MUŻA - The National Community Art Museum . The Grand Master’s Palace The Grand Master's Palace and St. George's Square   The Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, known as the Knights Hospitaller , rose to prominence in the 12th century CE, during the last Christian Crusade,. They were tasked with the “care and defense of the Holy Land” and were based in Jerusalem until 1291, when Islamic forces reconquered the city.  In 1533, Pope Clement VII and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, reached an agreement to cede the island of Malta to  the Knights Hospitaller. In return, Charles V received a Maltese falcon every year. Banners of the Langua of the Knights Hospitaller In the middle of th...