AGE OF THE KNIGHTS

1530 – 1798
During the rule of the Knights, these islands went through numerous military conflicts, including the Great Siege of 1565. Under the leadership of the Order of St John, Malta experienced significant development, including the construction of a new capital city.
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A MODERN REVIVAL

24 October 1723 1723
The Church dedicated to St Lawrence in Birgu is consecrated
24/10/1723
The governor of Malta, Sir John Philip Ducane, managed to obtain the buildings of what was once the Cottonera Military Hospital, along with the parade ground adjoining St Clement’s bastions.
13 November 1590 1590
The Notarial Act for the building of the first Church dedicated to St Paul in Bormla
13/11/1590
The first small church dedicated to St Paul in the area called Maħten it-Tin in Bormla, started to be built around 1590.
23 November 1783 1783
The Oratory of the Crucifix in Cospicua is consecrated
23/11/1983
The first stone of the Oratory of the Crucifix which is next to the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception
30 December 1638 1638
The foundation stone for the Santa Margherita Lines is laid
30/12/1638
Also known as the Firenzuola Lines, they were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to protect the land front defences of the cities of Vittoriosa and Senglea.
4 February 1528 1528
Dominican Friars settle in Birgu
04/02/1528
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Dominicans were offered the old church dedicated to the Annunciation and a sizeable house
19 February 1772 1772
Juan Bautista Azopardo is born in Isla
19/02/1772
Juan Bautista Azopardo was a Maltese privateer and military man who fought under the flags of the Netherlands, Spain, and Argentina.
29 February 1724 1724
The Oratory of the Crucifix is inaugurated in Birgu
29/02/1724
The building of the Oratory of the Crucifix in Birgu dates back to the 18th century.
2 March 1633 1633
The Teresian Missionary International is established in Cospicua
02/03/1633
On this day in 1633, Pope Urban VIII issued a decree through which the Teresian Monastery in Cospicua became an International Missionary College of the Teresian Order.
23 March 1636 1636
Chigi blesses the foundation stone for the Church of the Annunciation in Birgu
23/03/1636
In the 17th century, the Dominicans decided to demolish the church given to them in 1528 to build a new one.
26 April 1736 1736
A ceremony to mark the initiation of the building of the Capuchin Convent
26/04/1736
The plans of the Church and of the Capuchin Convent in Kalkara were made by the Capuchin Friar Ġużepp from Isla.
7 May 1679 1679
The foundation stone of the Church of St Anne is laid
07/05/1679
The Church of the Monastery of Santa Scholastica in Birgu, dedicated to St Anne, dates to the 17th century.
8 May 1552 1552
The foundation stone for Fort St Michael is laid
08/05/1552
In 1551, Ottoman forces attacked Malta and invaded Gozo. The whole Gozitan population was enslaved
15 May 1698 1698
The consecration of the Church of St Nicholas in Fort Ricasoli
15/05/1698
In the 17th century, Grand Master Nicolás Cotoner felt the need to have a church within Fort Ricasoli to cater to the spiritual needs of those stationed there.
18 May 1565 1565
An Ottoman fleet is spotted near Malta
18/05/1565
The Maltese were ordered to seek shelter in the fortifications as the Turkish fleet approached Malta
25 May 1732 1732
The Parish Church of Cospicua is consecrated
25/05/1732
Work on the Parish Church of Cospicua that we see today started in the late 17th century but its construction took a long time to complete.
15 June 1670 1670
The laying of the foundation stone of Fort Ricasoli
15/06/1670
In 1669 Grand Master Nicolás Cotoner instructed engineer Antonio Maurizio Valperga to design a new fortress.
18 June 1736 1736
Laying of foundation stone of the Capuchin Church dedicated to St Barbara
19/06/1736
On 18 June 1736, Bishop Paolo Alpheran de Bussan laid the first stone of the Capuchin Church dedicated to St Barbara.
3 July 1565 1565
The Piccolo Soccorso
03/07/1565
The assistance sent by the Viceroy of Sicily arrived in Malta under the leadership of Juan de Cardona on 2 July 1565.
14 July 1761 1761
Archbishop Ferdinand Mattei dies
14/07/1761
Ferdinand Mattei became a Bishop of the Diocese of Malta on 15 May 1808
21 July 1719 1719
Contract signed to build a new church in Bormla
21/07/1719
The first small church dedicated to St Margaret the Virgin and Martyr in Bormla existed before the year 1622. At the beginning of the 18th century, it was demolished to make room for the construction of the Santa Margherita Lines.
7 August 1565 1565
The attack on Fort St Michael
07/08/1565
The attack lasted about nine hours and was thought to be the last assault by which the Turks would win the Siege.
18 August 1557 1557
Grand Master La Sengle dies
18/08/1557
Grand Master La Sengle was the 48th Grand Master of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, serving from 1553 until his death in 1557.
19 August 1773 1773
Artist Francesco Zahra dies
19/08/1773
He began his artistic career as a sculptor in his father’s workshop and later trained in painting under Gio Nicola Buhagiar.
21 August 1557 1557
Jean de Valette is elected as Grand Master
21/08/1557
The Council of the Order met in Birgu, and after five hours of discussions, chose the Frenchman de Valette as the new Grand Master
28 August 1670 1670
Cottonera Lines construction starts
28/08/1670
After the Siege of Candia, Grand Master Cotoner feared that the Ottomans would turn their gaze to Malta to avenge themselves against the Knights for helping the Venetians during the fighting.

AGE OF THE KNIGHTS 25

NINETEENTH CENTURY 17

1799 – 1899
In the 19th century, Malta was under British rule and experienced significant modernization, including improved infrastructure for harbours, railways, and buildings, as well as population growth and political reforms.
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TWENTIETH CENTURY 67

1900 – 1999
Malta in the 20th century witnessed tremendous changes, including gaining independence from the UK and becoming a republic. It also experienced economic growth and political turbulence.
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A MODERN REVIVAL 8

2000 – present
In the 21st century, Malta joined the EU, saw significant economic growth, and emerged as a hub for iGaming and financial services, while also grappling with political scandals and controversies.
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AGE OF THE KNIGHTS

The Church dedicated to St Lawrence in Birgu is consecrated

The Notarial Act for the building of the first Church dedicated to St Paul in Bormla

The Oratory of the Crucifix in Cospicua is consecrated

The foundation stone for the Santa Margherita Lines is laid

Dominican Friars settle in Birgu

Juan Bautista Azopardo is born in Isla

The Oratory of the Crucifix is inaugurated in Birgu

The Teresian Missionary International is established in Cospicua

Chigi blesses the foundation stone for the Church of the Annunciation in Birgu

A ceremony to mark the initiation of the building of the Capuchin Convent

The foundation stone of the Church of St Anne is laid

The foundation stone for Fort St Michael is laid

The consecration of the Church of St Nicholas in Fort Ricasoli

An Ottoman fleet is spotted near Malta

The Parish Church of Cospicua is consecrated

The laying of the foundation stone of Fort Ricasoli

Laying of foundation stone of the Capuchin Church dedicated to St Barbara

The Piccolo Soccorso

Archbishop Ferdinand Mattei dies

Contract signed to build a new church in Bormla

The attack on Fort St Michael

Grand Master La Sengle dies

Artist Francesco Zahra dies

Jean de Valette is elected as Grand Master

Cottonera Lines construction starts