Maltese Learning Community and Resources

Although an article about the history of Malta may seem quite daunting, especially as it has several countries, civilizations and dates mentioned in it, it has been written in a fairly simple way which should make it easier to follow.  

Feel free to compare it to the English version when you get stuck. It is best suited for intermediate and advanced students of Maltese, but give it a go even if you're a beginner, simply to get a feel for it.  

Be kind to yourself - the important thing is that you understand some of the words and, ideally, gain a general understanding of Maltese history, not that you understand everything.

Let's go! 

Source: Canva 

TEST BIL-MALTI

Il-pożizzjoni strateġika ta' Malta għamlitha mira għal diversi ċiviltajiet tul l-istorja. Il-pożizzjoni tal-gżira f’nofs il-Baħar Mediterran waslet għal invażjonijiet minn għadd ta’ kulturi differenti, fosthom il-Feniċi, il-Griegi, il-Kartaġiniżi, ir-Rumani, l-Għarab, in-Normanni, il-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann, il-Franċiżi u l-Ingliżi. 

Malta tinsab madwar 80 kilometru għan-nofsinhar ta’ Sqallija u madwar 300 kilometru għat-tramuntana tal-Afrika. Minkejja ċ-ċokon tagħha, Malta kellha rwol sinifikanti fl-istorja Ewropea. Il-post strateġiku ta' Malta għamlitha mira għal diversi ċiviltajiet tul l-istorja. i kollha kkontrollaw lil Malta f’xi punt jew ieħor. Fl-1530, ittieħdet mill-Kavallieri ta’ San Ġwann li kienu tkeċċew minn Rodi mill-Imperu Ottoman. Il-Kavallieri bnew bosta fortifikazzjonijiet fuq il-gżira li għenuhom jiddefendu rwieħhom kontra l-attakki Ottomani.

Din l-istorja twila u varjata rriżultat f’kultura unika li hija taħlita ta’ ħafna influwenzi differenti. 

Il-pożiżżjoni ta’ Malta għamlitha ukoll bażi ideali għan-Navy Brittanika matul il-Gwerer Napoleoniċi. Wara li Napuljun ġie megħlub, Malta saret kolonja Brittanika u hekk baqgħet sal-1964. 

Matul it-Tieni Gwerra Dinjija, Malta kienet bażi importanti għall-Alleati u kienet ibbumbardjata ħafna mill-armati Taljani u Ġermaniżi. Illum, Malta hija pajjiż indipendenti u membru tal-Unjoni Ewropea. L-istorja rikka, il-kultura u t-temp tagħha jagħmluha destinazzjoni turistika popolari. 

Source: Canva

TEXT IN ENGLISH

Malta's strategic location has made it a target for various civilizations throughout history. The island's location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea has meant that it has been invaded by a number of different cultures. The Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St. John, French, and British have all controlled Malta at one point or another.  
 
It is about 80 kilometres south of Sicily and about 300 kilometres north of Africa. Despite its small size, Malta has played a significant role in European history. Malta's strategic location has made it a target for various civilizations throughout history. In 1530, it was taken by the Knights of St John who had been expelled from Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire. The Knights built numerous fortifications on the island which helped them defend against Ottoman attacks. 
 
This long and varied history has resulted in a unique culture that is a blend of many different influences.  
 
Malta's location also made it an ideal base for the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. After Napoleon was defeated, Malta became a British colony and remained so until 1964.  
 
During World War II, Malta was an important base for the Allies and was heavily bombed by the Italian and German armies. Today, Malta is an independent country and a member of the European Union. Its rich history, culture and weather make it a popular tourist destination.