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Are the Knights of Malta still active?
The Order of Saint John, better known as the Knights of Malta, governed the Maltese islands for centuries and left a lasting impression. Hundreds of years ago, many buildings they constructed are now top-rated tourist destinations on tours, excursions, and other activities in Malta.
The influence of the Knights on Malta’s history and culture is still quite evident today. There are several structures and sites around that have stood the test of time. The usage of the Maltese Cross is another indication of the Knights’ influence, and that image still has a solid connection to Malta as a country.
What exactly were the Knights of Malta?
A military and religious (Roman Catholic) organization with its papal charter, the Knights of Malta were founded in the eleventh century and are still active today. Their forerunners (the Knights Hospitaller) were connected to an Amalfi hospital before the established Order (present-day Italy). Originally, their main purpose was to assist ill, needy, or injured pilgrims returning from the Holy Land (which refers to the present-day regions of Israel and Palestine).
Following the First Crusade and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Knights Hospitaller developed into both a religious and armed force organization. The Knights’ primary duties were the Holy Land’s defence and the treatment of the injured. To help with that aim, they constructed several forts and estates nearby.
The Knights divided themselves into langues or languages, generally based on the geographical dispersion of the Orders’ members and properties, about 1300. Also, each of these tongues had an administrative centre called the auberge (which translates into hostel or inn in French).
The Knights of Rhodes and Cyprus
The Order relocated to Cyprus after the Kingdom of Jerusalem fell in 1291, but they soon discovered themselves in a precarious situation. To create a new stronghold in Rhodes, they engaged in a four-year effort (part of present-day Greece).
The Knights Hospitaller, now known as the Knights of Rhodes, were to reside on Rhodes between 1310 and 1522. Due to the growth of the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey) and the threat of pirates, especially the Barbary pirates, predominantly Ottoman, the Knights had to become a more militarized organization.
Despite successfully repelling severe attacks on Rhodes until 1522, the Ottoman Empire decisively overpowered them throughout a 6-month siege and lost. Until 1530 CE, the surviving knights in a force of between 600 and 4,500 men on Rhodes were permitted to flee to Sicily without a headquarters.
The Malta-based Knights of the Military Order of Saint John
The Knights of Malta chapter is established in the year 1530. Following years of living without a permanent residence, they were given the islands of Malta and Gozo by King Charles V of Spain, who was also King of Sicily at the time (Today’s capital of Libya).
The islands were considered to be tiny and underdeveloped when the Knights seized control of Malta and Gozo. Ultimately, it was preferable to have no base at all than to have a small one, even if it were a step up from having none at all.
It followed that Malta was never intended to serve as the Knights’ permanent residence. After the Great Siege of 1565, they decided to remain in Malta and fortify their position there despite their continued desire to one day retake Rhodes.
Making due, the Order began constructing a naval facility in Malta after realizing that the island’s position may have strategic significance. With its strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta could fulfil the Knights’ primary goals of support and defence by acting as a bridge between the East and the West. Finally, they turned Malta from an empty island into a prosperous fortress with superb fortifications.
