Over time, Malta has been ruled by The Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St John, the French and The British.
Originally named by the Greeks as "Melite" (meaning sweet honey), Malta is quite simply unique in historical terms and has evidence of civilisation dating back over 7,000 years. Its megalithic temples are the oldest free-standing structures in the whole of Europe, proving the significance of Malta's favoured strategic location at the heart of the Mediterranean.
More recently Malta has seen invasions and settlements from a number of different cultures, countries and empires most notably the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Sicilians, British and the Knights of St. John. Each new wave of settlers has brought their own story to Malta making it an absolutely fascinating and multi-faceted destination.
One of the most famous events in Malta's history was the Great Siege which took place in 1565. The islands were besieged by the invading Ottoman armies and after a long and bloody battle the Knights of Malta won out.
Since Malta's independence from Great Britain in 1964, it has thrived as an independent state (it officially became a republic in 1974) whilst remaining within the Commonwealth.
From temples to Roman sites to WWII guns, Malta literally has history around every corner.
