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

Malta's Great Siege: The Knights' Last Stand

12 Sep 2026 · 6:19 · S5 E229

In June of 1565, the Ottoman Empire launched a massive invasion of Malta with over 40,000 troops. The Knights Hospitaller, numbering only about 6,000 including civilians, had just built the fortified city of Valletta but were ill-prepared for the assault that followed. This episode explores the brutal four-month siege, focusing on the pivotal Battle of Fort St Elmo and the leadership of Grand Master Jean de Valette. We examine how the defenders used mining, counter-mining, and sheer endurance to withstand constant bombardment from Turgut Reis and Mustafa Pasha. Beyond the military tactics, we look at the human cost, the role of women in sustaining the defense, and the eventual arrival of Spanish reinforcements that turned the tide. Join us as we revisit one of the Mediterranean’s most critical turning points, where the survival of Christendom hung in the balance.

#GreatSiegeOfMalta #JeanDeValette #KnightsHospitaller #FortStElmo #TurgutReis #MustafaPasha #OttomanEmpire #VallettaHistory #MediterraneanHistory #MilitaryHistory #16thCenturyWarfare #SiegeTactics #BarbaryCorsairs #MalteseHistory #IslandDefenses #ChristianKnights #NavalBattles #FexingoHistory

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