Malta History & Potential Future Projects
History TImeline
B.C. Pre-history and classical Malta (5000-218 B.C.) 5000 - First human settlers. Ghar Dalam phase. 3600-2500 - Megalithic temples constructed. 2000-1400 - Bronze-using people. 800-146 - Phoenician rule, Greek influence, Carthaginian rule, Roman Rule, Punic Wars. 218 - Roman rule begins during the 2nd Punic War. A.D. Classical and Medieval Malta (60-1530) 60 - Shipwreck of St. Paul the Apostle. 395-870 - Byzantine rule. 454 - 870 - Islands occupied by the Vandals, Goths, Byzantine 870-1090 - Arab rule. 1091-1194 - Norman rule. 1194-1266 - Swabian rule. 1266-1283 - Angevin rule. Creation of the Universita' (administration not academia) 1282 - Sicilian Vespers (uprising against Angevin (French) rule). 1483-1530 - Aragonese & Castilian rule, Establishment of Maltese Nobility The Knights of St. John (1530-1798) 1530 - Knights of St. John take possession 1551 - Dragut, prominent Turkish corsair, raids Gozo. 1561 - Inquisition officially established. 1565 - Great Siege. Malta besieged by Turks but Knights and Maltese resist and win. 1566 - Founding of Valletta, the new capital city named after Grand Master La Valette, hero of the Great Siege. 1571 - Battle of Lepanto. Christian victory over Turks. 1573 - Foundation stone laid for St. John's Co-Cathedral. 1615 - Wignacourt Aqueduct completed to supply fresh water to Valletta. 1676 - School of Anatomy and Surgery founded in Valletta The French Occupation (1798-1800) 1798 June 9th - A French army under Napoleon Bonaparte invaded the Maltese Island. The Knights of St. John expelled after 268 years in Malta. 1798 September 2nd - The Maltese revolt against the French and a two-year siege begins. 1799 - The British take the islands under their protection in the name of the King of Two Sicilies. 1800 September - The French surrender. The British Period (1800-1964) 1800 - The French capitulate. British rule begins. 1802 - Treaty of Amiens. The Napoleonic Wars resume because of Malta. 1833 - Construction begins on Mosta dome. 1839 - Abolition of Press censorship. Laying of cornerstone for St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral. 1883 - Malta Railway begins operation. 1888 - Construction begins on Royal Opera House. 1904 - Tram service begins. 1914-18 - World War I. Malta is not directly involved in the fighting but becomes known as the "Nurse of the Mediterranean". 1919 - Sette Giugno riots sparked by cost of living. 1923 - The Maltese National Anthem played first time in public. 1939-45 - World War II. 1942 - Award of the George Cross to the people of Malta to honour their bravery. Operation Pedestal Convoy arrives in Grand Harbour and saves Malta from starvation and surrender. 1943 - Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and King George VI visit Malta. Invasion of Sicily from Malta. Italy surrenders on the 8th of September and the Italian Fleet comes to Malta. The General Workers Union, Malta's largest trade union, set-up. 1945 - Churchill and Roosevelt meet in Malta prior to the Yalta Conference with Stalin. |
Future Projects
Projects which will be developed over the next 12 months include : a Gardjola (look out point) Verdala Palace Fort St Angelo Roman Villa |
Fort St Angelo Gardjola Mosaic at Roman Villa Verdala Palace