At the cross roads of the Mediterranean, the small Maltese archpelago commands the trade routes, not only between east and west, but bewteen north and south. It was the focus of many warring powers because of it possessed in its Grand Harbour and other ancillary harbours and anchorages the finest fleet base in the central Mediterranien.

During this time Malta has fallen under the sway of the Phoenecians, the greatest seafarers of ancient times. The Carthaginains, an economic power to the south. The Romans to the north, and the Arabs to the east. As well as the far off Normans followed by the Swabians, the French (twice) and the Spanish.

None of these powers influenced the Maltese as much as the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. It was the Knights whom in effect put Malta on the map. It was the knights whom have left, not only their physical marks on malta, but their psychological mark on the Maltese.

It was the knights who brought the "Golden Age" upon Malta, and it was the with the Knights that the Maltese were able to throw back the armies of the Ottoman empire in 1565.

This is my small attempt to build an electronic monument to the Knights as reminder of the bravery and heroism both the Knights and Maltese were known for during the period of the Great Siege. It also exists because, sadly, outside of Europe, very few people know of Malta or the contribution the Knights and the Maltese made in preserving Christianity in Europe.

New links: Roster of the Knights and statistics of modern day Malta