The Story of Malta: The Fortress Island of the Mediterranean — Fexingo History

Epizodai

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  Caravaggio and the Knights: The Art That Defined Baroque Malta 30.07.2026 6min

  In this episode of The Story of Malta, Lucas and Luna explore the explosive intersection of art and power in 17th-century Hospitaller Malta. Learn how the fugitive genius Caravaggio landed on the island in 1607, painted his largest and only signed masterpiece—The Beheading of St. John the Baptist—and was inducted into the Order of St. John, only to be arrested and escape months later. Discover the patronage of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, the role of St. John's Co-Cathedral as a gallery of knightly glory, and the later Baroque transformation led by Mattia Preti. Along the way, we examine how the Knights used art to project authority, piety, and prestige on their fortress island. This episode is a deep dive into a lesser-known chapter of Maltese history that still dazzles visitors today. #Caravaggio #MalteseArt #StJohnsCoCathedral #KnightsOfStJohn #Baroque #AlofDeWignacourt #MattiaPreti #BeheadingOfStJohn #Hospitaller #Valletta #MaltaHistory #17thCentury #ArtPatronage #GrandMaster #Oratory #FexingoHistory #History #Mediterranean Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta Under Rome From St Pauls Shipwreck to the Domvs Romana 30.07.2026 8min

  Long before the Knights of St. John or the British Empire, Malta was a prized possession of the Roman Republic and Empire. This episode delves into the island's transformation after Rome seized it from Carthage in 218 BC during the Second Punic War. We explore how Malta became a thriving municipium with a Latin-speaking elite, the impact of St. Paul's shipwreck in 60 AD—a pivotal moment that embedded Christianity deep in Maltese identity—and the archaeological treasures that survive, including the exquisite Domvs Romana in Mdina with its Hellenistic mosaics. Lucas and Luna also discuss the Roman villa at Żejtun, the island's role as a grain supplier and naval base, and the gradual shift from Punic to Roman culture. They touch on how the Maltese language retains its Semitic core despite centuries of Latin influence. This episode offers a fresh look at a period often overshadowed by the Knights, revealing the foundations of modern Malta in Roman citizenship, law, and religion. The conversation weaves through history, archaeology, and legend, ending with a reflection on how history layers itself in unexpected ways. #Malta #RomanMalta #StPaulShipwreck #DomvsRomana #Mdina #RomanHistory #Archaeology #Mosaics #SecondPunicWar #Carthage #Christianity #MalteseHistory #ActsOfTheApostles #FexingoHistory #AncientHistory #Mediterranean #HistoryPodcast #MaltaPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Mikiel Anton Vassalli and the Birth of the Maltese Language 29.07.2026 6min

  In this episode of The Story of Malta, we explore the life and legacy of Mikiel Anton Vassalli, the father of the Maltese language. Born in 1764, Vassalli saw the potential of the everyday spoken tongue—a Semitic language with Sicilian and Italian influences—and took the radical step of standardizing it. His 1796 Lexicon Melitense-Latino-Italum was the first dictionary of Maltese, followed by a grammar. But his linguistic nationalism put him at odds with the Knights of St. John and later the British. Imprisoned and exiled, Vassalli died in poverty. Yet his work laid the foundation for the 20th-century revival that made Maltese an official language in 1934. We discuss the linguistic roots of Maltese, the difficulties of writing a Semitic language in Latin script, and the unique letters like ġ, ħ, and għ. Vassalli's story is one of resilience—a quiet rebellion that gave a voice to the island. We also touch on the modern status of Maltese, the role of the Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti, and how the language reflects Malta's layered history. #MikielAntonVassalli #MalteseLanguage #LexiconMelitense #Linguistics #SemiticLanguages #Enlightenment #Nationalism #19thCentury #MaltaHistory #FexingoHistory #Mediterranean #Żebbuġ #MalteseGrammar #LanguageRevival #GħaqdaTalMalti #SiculoArabic #PaulXuereb #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Inquisition in Malta: Faith, Fear, and the Knights 29.07.2026 6min

  In 1561, just after the Great Siege, a new power arrived on Malta: the Roman Inquisition. Lucas and Luna explore how the Holy Office of the Inquisition shaped Maltese society for over two centuries. They discuss the arrival of the first Inquisitor, Pietro Dusina, the uneasy relationship with the Knights of St. John, and the Inquisition's role in regulating privateering and morality. The episode delves into notable cases, including the trial of a Maltese priest accused of sorcery, and the Inquisition's gradual decline before its abolition by Napoleon in 1798. A look at the Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio in Birgu and its later move to Valletta reveals how the Inquisition operated from the shadows of the fortress island. #Malta #Inquisition #KnightsOfStJohn #PietroDusina #SantUffizio #Birgu #Valletta #CatholicReformation #1561 #GrandMasterDeValette #PalazzodelSantUffizio #Corsair #MoralityPolice #NapoleonMalta #1798 #ReligiousHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta's Watchtowers: The Knights' Coastal Defense Network 28.07.2026 6min

  In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the network of coastal watchtowers built by the Knights of St. John to defend Malta from corsair raids and Ottoman invasions. Starting with the early Wignacourt towers in the 1610s, they delve into the systematic construction of the de Redin towers under Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris and his successor, Martin de Redin. Learn about the design—square bases, two stories, spiral staircases—and the signaling system using fires and cannon shots that could alert the entire island within hours. The conversation also covers the garrisons of two to three men, their daily life, and the towers' strategic importance in the corso economy. Later, the British adapted them for signal stations and searchlights during World War II. Today, many still stand as landmarks. This episode offers a fresh perspective on Malta's military architecture beyond the famous fortifications of Valletta. #MalteseWatchtowers #KnightsOfStJohn #DeRedinTowers #WignacourtTowers #LascarisTowers #CoastalDefense #Fortifications #MilitaryArchitecture #MediterraneanHistory #CorsairRaids #OttomanEmpire #GrandMasterDeRedin #GrandMasterWignacourt #MalteseIslands #17thCentury #SignalTowers #HeritageMalta #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Building Valletta: The City That Rose From a Siege 28.07.2026 6min

  After the Great Siege of 1565, Grand Master Jean de Valette made a bold decision: leave the cramped fortifications of Birgu and build a brand-new city on the barren peninsula of Mount Sciberras. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the founding of Valletta in 1566, the role of Italian engineer Francesco Laparelli, the Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar who brought the plans to life, and the immense labour—including thousands of slaves and paid workers—that carved a fortress city out of solid rock. They discuss the innovative grid layout, the advanced water and sewage systems, the construction of St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Grand Master's Palace, and how Valletta became one of the world's best-preserved fortified cities. Along the way, a natural sidestep into listener support keeps the show ad-free. Episode 181 of The Story of Malta. #Valletta #FrancescoLaparelli #GirolamoCassar #KnightsOfStJohn #MaltaHistory #FortressCity #1566 #ConstructionHistory #BaroqueArchitecture #Slavery #MilitaryEngineering #UNESCO #Mediterranean #FexingoHistory #History #SiegeOfMalta #StJohnsCoCathedral #GrandMastersPalace Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta's Slave Market: The Dark Side of the Knights' Golden Age 27.07.2026 6min

  When the Knights of St. John settled in Malta, they built a fortress of faith and military might. But beneath the gleaming bastions lay a brutal economy powered by enslaved labour. This episode uncovers the slave market in Valletta's Piazza degli Schiavi, the bagnio prison holding thousands, and the 1749 conspiracy in which slaves nearly seized the island. We explore the moral contradictions of the Order as both defenders of Christendom and traders in human flesh, and how this dark legacy shaped Malta's society and wealth. Learn about the corso privateering network, the everyday lives of slaves, and the eventual decline of the trade. A hidden history of the Mediterranean. #Malta #KnightsOfStJohn #Slavery #Hospitaller #Valletta #PiazzaDegliSchiavi #Corso #1749Conspiracy #Bagnio #OttomanEmpire #MediterraneanHistory #EarlyModern #SacreInfermeria #SlaveTrade #MalteseHistory #Privateering #Inquisition #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta 870: The Arab Conquest That Shaped the Maltese Language 27.07.2026 6min

  In 870 AD, the Aghlabid dynasty from North Africa conquered Malta, ending centuries of Byzantine rule and introducing Arabic as the dominant language. Over the next two centuries, Malta became a crossroads of Islamic and Christian cultures, with innovations in irrigation, citrus cultivation, and fortifications. This episode explores the often-overlooked Arab period, the rise of the Fatimid Caliphate, the role of the Kadi in Maltese society, and how the Maltese language—the only Semitic language written in Latin script—was born. Lucas and Luna discuss the legacy of this era, from the name 'Mdina' to everyday words like 'ħobż' for bread, and how the Norman reconquest of 1091 preserved rather than erased this cultural fusion. A fascinating look at Malta's medieval roots without the usual focus on knights or sieges. #Malta #ArabConquest #MalteseLanguage #Aghlabid #Fatimid #Mdina #MedievalMalta #Sicily #Byzantine #Norman #History #FexingoHistory #Mediterranean #Linguistics #870 #Kadi #Irrigation #CulturalFusion Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta 1942: The Siege That Earned the George Cross 26.07.2026 6min

  In 1942, Malta became the most bombed place on Earth as Axis forces tried to starve and blast the island into submission. The civilian population, already reeling from years of war, endured relentless air raids, dwindling food supplies, and the constant threat of invasion. This episode tells the story of that siege: the desperate convoy battles like Operation Pedestal, the arrival of the tanker Ohio that saved the island, and the unprecedented award of the George Cross to an entire nation. We explore the leadership of Governor Sir William Dobbie and Lord Gort, the courage of Maltese civilians who refused to surrender, and how Malta's survival turned the tide in the North Africa campaign. It's a tale of resilience that still echoes in Maltese identity today. #Malta #WWII #GeorgeCross #SiegeOfMalta1942 #OperationPedestal #SantaMarijaConvoy #Axis #Allies #Mediterranean #History #FexingoHistory #FortressIsland #Resilience #NorthAfricaCampaign #SirWilliamDobbie #LordGort #Convoy #OhioTanker Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Norman Conquest of Malta 1091 26.07.2026 6min

  In 1091, Count Roger I of Sicily, a Norman adventurer, launched an invasion that ended nearly two and a half centuries of Arab rule on Malta. This episode unpacks how the Arabs had transformed the island since 870 AD—introducing citrus, cotton, and irrigation, and planting the seeds of the Maltese language. Then we follow the Norman fleet as it sails into the Grand Harbour, the battle that unfolded on the shores near Mdina, and the terms of surrender that left Malta's Muslim population in place. We explore the aftermath: how Norman policy set the stage for later Christianization, the survival of Arabic dialect in Maltese, and the enduring legacy of a conquest that reshaped the island's destiny. Lucas and Luna also consider how historical narratives like these depend on careful scholarship and listener support. #NormanConquest #CountRoger #ArabMalta #MalteseLanguage #MedievalMalta #1091 #Aghlabid #Fatimid #Mdina #GrandHarbour #Sicily #Crusades #Agriculture #Irrigation #Malti #Normans #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta's Sacre Infermeria: The Hospital That Healed Knights and Slaves 25.07.2026 6min

  In this episode of The Story of Malta, Lucas and Luna explore the legendary Sacre Infermeria, the Holy Infirmary of the Knights of St. John. Built after the Great Siege of 1565, this hospital in Valletta was a marvel of early modern medicine, with running water, segregated wards, and a pharmacy that attracted patients from across the Mediterranean. They discuss its founding, its daily operations, the surgical techniques that saved corsairs and slaves alike, and the humanitarian ethic that set it apart. From the care for infected wounds to the delicate art of amputation, the Sacre Infermeria was not just a fortress of health but a symbol of the Order's dual mission: to fight and to heal. Discover the doctors, the patients, and the legacy of a place that stood for centuries at the heart of Maltese life. #SacreInfermeria #KnightsOfStJohn #MaltaHistory #HolyInfirmary #MedievalMedicine #Valletta #HospitallerOrder #GreatSiege1565 #MedicalHistory #Pharmacy #Surgery #Corsairs #MaltaPodcast #FexingoHistory #EuropeanHistory #Mediterranean #16thCentury #HistoryPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Walled City of Mdina: Malta's Silent Capital 24.07.2026 7min

  In this episode of The Story of Malta, Lucas and Luna explore the ancient walled city of Mdina, the silent capital that has stood for millennia. They discuss its Phoenician origins as 'Maleth', its transformation under Roman rule into 'Melita', and its role during the Arab period as 'Mdina', the fortified city. The episode delves into the city's architecture, including the Norman and Baroque influences, the story behind the Mdina Cathedral and its connection to the shipwreck of St. Paul, and the fascinating tale of the Mdina revolt of 1775 against the Knights of St. John. Lucas also explains why Mdina is called the 'Silent City' and how it survived the Great Siege of 1565. A donation segment ties the preservation of Mdina's history to supporting the podcast on buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. #Mdina #Malta #SilentCity #Maleth #PhoenicianMalta #RomanMelita #ArabMdina #NormanMalta #KnightsOfStJohn #MdinaCathedral #StPaul #GreatSiege1565 #MdinaRevolt1775 #BaroqueArchitecture #MediterraneanHistory #History #FexingoHistory #FortressIsland Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta 1698: The Plague That Nearly Wiped Out Valletta 23.07.2026 5min

  In 1698, a ship from Alexandria docked at the Grand Harbour carrying not cargo but bubonic plague. Over the next eight months, the plague ravaged Valletta and the Three Cities, killing an estimated 11,000 people — nearly a third of the island's population. This episode follows the outbreak from its first victim, a sailor named Mikiel Xuereb, through the desperate quarantine measures ordered by Grand Master Gregorio Carafa. We explore the Lazzaretto on Manoel Island, the role of the Sacre Infermeria, and the heartbreaking decision to wall off entire neighborhoods. We also look at how the plague reshaped Maltese society, from the rise of public health regulations to the enduring memory of the pestilence in local folklore. Lucas and Luna discuss the tension between trade necessity and disease prevention, the heroism of the Hospitaller nurses, and the controversial figure of Dr. Giacomo Mangion, who argued for total isolation when others hesitated. A story of resilience and loss that left an indelible mark on the island. #PlagueOf1698 #Valletta #GrandHarbour #MalteseHistory #OrderOfStJohn #GregorioCarafa #Lazzaretto #ManoelIsland #SacreInfermeria #BubonicPlague #PublicHealth #MikielXuereb #GiacomoMangion #18thCentury #MediterraneanHistory #Epidemic #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta 1964: The Day the Union Jack Came Down 23.07.2026 5min

  Independence wasn't handed to Malta on a silver platter. This episode takes you inside the negotiations, the protests, and the political brinkmanship that led to September 21, 1964. We meet the key figures: Prime Minister Borg Olivier, who navigated the tricky waters of the 1962 constitutional conference in London; Dom Mintoff, the fiery Labour leader who walked out; and the British Governor, Sir Maurice Dorman. We explore the tense moments when inter-island rivalry from Gozo threatened the whole deal, the last-minute concessions over defense and finance, and the quiet role of the Catholic Church. You'll hear about the 1964 Independence Constitution, the 'Malta Labour Party' boycott, and the celebrations that swept Valletta. We also reflect on whether independence truly changed everyday life. No dry lists of dates—just the human story of a small island prying itself loose from an empire. #Malta #Independence #1964 #BorgOlivier #DomMintoff #Gozo #Valletta #BritishEmpire #Constitution #MaltaLabourParty #September21 #Decolonization #Mediterranean #ColdWar #CatholicChurch #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Phoenicians in Malta: Traders Who Forged an Island 22.07.2026 7min

  Long before the Knights or the Romans, another seafaring people left an indelible mark on Malta: the Phoenicians. In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace the arrival of these master traders from the Levant around the 8th century BCE, and how they transformed Malta into a vital hub in their Mediterranean network. They explore the founding of settlements like Maleth (modern Mdina) and the creation of unique Phoenician-Maltese cultural blends, from the fusion god Melqart-Heracles to the Phoenician-influenced pottery that still surfaces in fields today. Lucas explains how Phoenician commercial savvy—and their alphabet—laid the groundwork for Maltese identity long before the island became a fortress. Luna asks about the mysterious 'cart ruts' and whether they tie back to Phoenician activity. The episode also covers the sanctuary of Astarte at Tas-Silġ, the rivalry with the Greeks, and the eventual absorption into the Carthaginian sphere. A surprising look at Malta's first global age, where trade, not war, shaped a civilisation. #Phoenicians #Malta #MediterraneanHistory #Melqart #Astarte #TasSilg #Maleth #Mdina #AncientTrade #CartRuts #PhoenicianAlphabet #Carthage #GreekColonisation #Archaeology #AncientHistory #History #FexingoHistory #IslandHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta 1798: How Napoleon Captured the Fortress Island 22.07.2026 6min

  In June 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte's fleet appeared off the coast of Malta. The island, ruled for over two centuries by the Knights of St. John, fell in just days. This episode dives into the strategic miscalculations, the internal decay of the Order, and the dramatic surrender that ended Hospitaller rule. We explore the role of Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch, the Knights' broken vows, and Napoleon's brief but transformative stay—including his abolition of slavery and the looting of churches. How did a supposedly impregnable fortress island capitulate so quickly? The answer lies in a mix of complacency, betrayal, and the sheer force of Revolutionary France. #Napoleon #Malta #KnightsOfStJohn #FerdinandVonHompesch #1798 #FrenchRevolution #MediterraneanHistory #Hospitaller #SiegeOfMalta #Valletta #GrandHarbour #BattleOfThePyramids #Nelson #OrderOfStJohn #FortSaintElmo #Mdina #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Great Siege of Malta 1565: How the Knights Defeated the Ottoman Empire 21.07.2026 6min

  In 1565, the Ottoman Empire launched a massive invasion of Malta, aiming to crush the Knights of St. John once and for all. This episode dives into the crucial Battle of St. Elmo, where a tiny garrison held out for over a month against overwhelming odds. We explore the leadership of Grand Master Jean de Valette, the tactics of the Ottoman commanders Mustafa Pasha and Dragut, and the brutal reality of 16th-century siege warfare. From the fortifications of Fort St. Elmo to the desperate relief force from Sicily, we trace the turning points that saved the island and reshaped Mediterranean history. Featuring details on the relief force of the Gran Soccorso, the role of the Maltese militia, and the aftermath that made Valletta a symbol of Christian resistance. #GreatSiege1565 #JeanDeValette #FortStElmo #MustafaPasha #Dragut #KnightsOfStJohn #OttomanEmpire #MaltaHistory #SiegeWarfare #GranSoccorso #BattleOfStElmo #MediterraneanHistory #MilitaryHistory #16thCentury #Hospitaller #Corso #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Corsair Captain Who Defied the Inquisition 21.07.2026 6min

  In 17th century Malta, a corsair captain named Fra' Girolamo di Pietro dared to challenge the authority of the Inquisition. This episode explores the tense relationship between the Knights of St. John's lucrative corso—privateering against Muslim shipping—and the Church's moral and legal oversight. Di Pietro, a knight of the Order, was arrested by the Inquisitor for capturing a ship under dubious circumstances, sparking a legal battle that pitted the Order's traditions against ecclesiastical power. We delve into the shifting rules of corsair warfare, the role of the Sacra Congregazione, and the fate of a man who sailed too close to the wind. Featuring the Inquisitor's palace in Birgu, the Castellania prison, and the galleys of the Grand Harbour. #Corsair #Inquisition #Malta #KnightsOfStJohn #Corso #FraGirolamoDiPietro #Birgu #Castellania #SacraCongregazione #GrandHarbour #Privateering #17thCentury #MediterraneanHistory #Hospitaller #Slavery #NavalHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  The Maltese Navy: Knights of St. John at Sea 20.07.2026 6min

  Before Malta became a British naval base, the Knights of St. John ruled the waves with their own fleet of galleys. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Order's maritime power: the Arsenal in Birgu, the role of the Captain General of the Galleys, and the famous battle of Lepanto where Maltese galleys fought alongside the Holy League. They uncover the daily life of rowers—both free men and slaves—and how the corso (privateering) funded the island's defenses. Learn about the 'Squadra' system that organized crews, the strategic use of Fort Saint Elmo's signal guns, and how the Knights' ships kept Malta supplied and secure for centuries. A look at the floating fortress that protected the Fortress Island. #KnightsOfStJohn #MalteseNavy #Galleys #Birgu #Arsenal #CaptainGeneral #Lepanto #Corso #Privateering #SlaveRowers #FortSaintElmo #Squadra #Hospitaller #MediterraneanHistory #NavalHistory #MalteseHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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  Malta 1802: The Treaty of Amiens and the Return of the Knights 20.07.2026 6min

  In 1802, the Treaty of Amiens briefly restored the Order of St. John to Malta after Napoleon's ouster. But the Maltese people had other ideas. This episode explores the short-lived return, the role of Alexander Ball, the Declaration of Rights drafted by the Maltese National Congress, and how the island's fate was sealed by the resumption of war between Britain and France. We delve into the diplomatic maneuvering, the British reluctance to leave, and the eventual end of the Knights' era. #TreatyOfAmiens #Malta1802 #OrderOfStJohn #AlexanderBall #MalteseNationalCongress #DeclarationOfRights #NapoleonicWars #BritishMalta #KnightsOfMalta #MediterraneanHistory #MaltaHistory #FexingoHistory #FortressIsland #Valletta #GrandHarbour #PeaceOfAmiens #ColonialHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo