From Pirates to Plague The Wild Side of Malta’s Past

Ahoy junior adventurers and history detectives! Prepare for a wild ride through Malta’s past—a tale of brave knights turned ocean raiders, spooky pirate raids, and shadowy plagues that swept across the island!

When Knights Became Pirates

Long ago, the brave Knights of St John didn’t just stand guard on land: they sailed the seas, too! From 1530 to 1798, their warships attacked enemy fleets in a clever operation called the Maltese Corso. They were not just defenders, but also mighty privateers, or pirates for hire!The Fearsome Raid on Mosta

In 1526, danger came ashore! Barbary pirates snuck into the village of Mosta under the cover of darkness, took villagers hostage, and even captured around 400 people—including a bride and her wedding guests! That daring raid fueled tales and legends that Maltese children still whisper about.

When Plague Shadows Fell

Look away… or maybe look closer—it’s a bit scary, but true! From the late 1500s through to the 1800s, malaria wasn’t the only danger buzzing in Malta. Deadly plagues struck three times, killing thousands:

In 1592–1593, a terrible outbreak claimed about 3,000 lives—that means nearly 11 per cent of the island’s people.

The worst yet came between 1675 and 1676, when over 11,000 people died—an astonishing loss that changed the island forever.

Finally, another big bout happened in 1813–1814, when nearly 4,500 people perished—almost 5 per cent of Malta’s population.

Malta’s Wild Past Was Full of Surprises

Pirates, plagues and shocking stories—Malta’s history is way more dramatic than a pirate movie! From daring raids to secret sea battles to deadly disease—all these events shaped the island we know today.

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