Despite its size, Malta has a rich and complex history, its position in the Mediterranean between south Europe and north Africa has led many an ambitious empire to try to conquer and occupy it.

Sightseeing in Malta is naturally enriched by this history. The National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta is a great place to learn about the island’s early history. The Neolithic temple at Hypogeum dates back 3,000 years, and at Hagar Qim are both awe-inspiring places to discover the history of Malta.

The first settlers in Malta are thought to have come from Sicily, archaeologists have found evidence that these settlers built temples as far back as the Copper age, 1000 years before the great pyramids of Giza were built.

The Romans turned Malta in to a prosperous centre for textile production and were the rulers when St Paul found himself shipwrecked on the island, converting the inhabitants to Christianity.

With the fall of the Roman empire the Arabs ruled for 200 years until the Normans took over in 1090 until the early 16th century when the famous “Knights of Malta” made their island their home and changed the official language to Italian. The knights built palaces and churches, giving the Island its own cultural identity.

The history of Malta took another twist in 1798 when Napoleon took over the island. The Maltese revolted against the French and with assistance from the British drove them away. The British subsequently set up a naval base which was heavily bombed in World War II with King George awarding the people of Malta an award for civilian bravery as a result.

Malta was finally granted independence in 1964 after 100 years of British rule, becoming a republic and electing a president in 1974. Malta’s economy has thrived since independence and has become a leading tourist destination. Malta became a member of the EU on 1st May 2004.

To learn more about Malta holidays have a look at our other Malta holiday guides to the right of the screen.