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

Malta 1698: The Plague That Nearly Wiped Out Valletta

23 Jul 2026 · 5:35 · S4 E174

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.

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