History of Malta

The Islands of Malta have a rich history which includes archeological treasures. They hold some of the greatest structures of prehistory as well as the stunning Medieval fortress city of Valletta.

In the history, Malta has been inhabited from as early as the Neolithic times and evidence of early settlements can be found even today. In 2000 B.C., as the Neolithic era civilizations went into decline, a number of external invaders arrived here. The Romans and Arabs followed the Phoenicians and Carthaginians. The Arabs invaded the island nation in the Middle Ages, during the Byzantine-Arab Wars. Later, in 1091, the Normans took control and Roman Catholicism was restored as Malta's state religion.

Another part of Malta's History are the Knights of Malta, also  called the Order of Knights of St. John, reigned supreme between 1530 and 1798, following which Napoleon ruled the islands. Malta even had a period of British rule when the Throne took charge for a period of 160 years. The Germans made their attempts to capture this piece of paradise during World War II but the locals fought off the onslaught and their bravery won them the George Cross. Malta gained independence from British rule in 1964 and finally became a republic, sovereign state as it remains to this date.

The Second World War proved another testing time for Malta. A crucial British post in the Mediterranean, the island received heavy aerial bombardment from the Italian and German air forces. Reaching its peak in 1942, the island was awarded the George Cross for its peoples valour. Eventually following the victory of Alamein the Second Siege was lifted and the massive reconstruction effort could begin.