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gozotoday | FRIDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2026
CULTURE
Knights' journey from Rhodes to Gozo
explored in Il-Hagar public talk
GOZITAN historian and au-
thor Joseph Scicluna will trace
the Order of St John's journey
from Rhodes to Malta and its
lasting legacy in Gozo during
a public talk at Il-Ħaġar Mu-
seum on, 21 November, at
11am.
The talk will explore two
pivotal periods in the histo-
ry of the Knights, beginning
with the 1522 Siege of Rho-
des, when the Order defended
its Aegean stronghold against
Sultan Suleiman. Following
their eventual departure, the
Knights endured eight years
of exile before settling in Mal-
ta in 1530.
Scicluna will then turn to
the eighteenth century, ex-
amining how the modernisa-
tion of the Hospitaller fleet
strengthened the Order's na-
val capabilities and enabled
commander Jacques François
de Chambray to accumulate
considerable wealth through
Mediterranean victories.
The talk will also highlight
Chambray's contribution to
Gozo's defences. Concerned
about the vulnerability of
the island's population, he
personally financed the con-
struction of Fort Chambray at
Ras it-Tafal in 1749, leaving
behind a lasting architectural
legacy.
The event is being organised
in collaboration with Kite
Group. Admission is free. Il-
Ħaġar Museum's full 2026-
2027 events programme may
be consulted through the mu-
seum's official channels.
PUBLIC TALK
From the Ramparts of Rhodes
to the Heights of Ras it-Tafal
Joseph Scicluna
Saturday 21 November 2026 | 11.00
Il-Ħaġar | Heart of Gozo Museum
St George's Square, Victoria, Gozo, Malta
Free admission
Registration: events@heartofgozo.org.mt
Gozitan historian and author Joseph
Scicluna will trace the Order of St
John's journey from Rhodes to Malta
and its lasting legacy in Gozo during a
public talk at Il-Ħaġar Museum on, 21
November
Scicluna will then turn to the
eighteenth century, examining how
the modernisation of the Hospitaller
fleet strengthened the Order's naval
capabilities and enabled commander
Jacques François de Chambray to
accumulate considerable wealth
through Mediterranean victories
