In 1565, all eyes were set on Malta, as the islands were turned into a gory arena in which the mighty Order of St John and the colossal Ottoman Empire clashed fiercely. The siege continued for around three months until the sudden retreat of the fragmented Ottoman army led to the victory of the knights and the Maltese people.
Four hundred and fifty years after this epic battle took place, Heritage Malta is once more engaging worldwide interest in Malta through the spectacular international exhibition 1565 – The Great Siege of Malta. Hosted at the Grand Master’s Palace in Valletta, under the patronage of the President, this exhibition presents over 150 objects which have been carefully selected from Malta and abroad to narrate this legendary saga.
Among the local exhibits, visitors can see original correspondence of Christian spies on the Great Siege, documentation concerning women and children who took part in the conflict, the diary of Balbi di Correggio who participated in this battle as an arquebusier, armour worn by Grand Master Jean de Valette and by the Ottoman Spahi, firearms which were used by corsairs, and a slave chain donated by a man who managed to return safely to Malta after he was taken a slave by the Ottomans.
Visitors can see original correspondence of Christian spies on the Great Siege
The exhibition also includes a number of artefacts from international institutions such as Grand Master L’Isle Adam’s eight pointed cross, several parts of decorated armour that will be amalgamated with their counterpart components from the Palace Armoury for the first time after 200 years, and the helmet of Emperor Charles V. These objects and others have been brought to Malta from the Kunsthistorisches Museum of Austria, the Kremlin Museums in Russia, Palazzo Venezia in Rome, the Order of St John’s Museum in Clerkenwell, the Royal Armouries of Leeds, and the Royal Artillery Museum of Woolwich.
A highlight of the exhibition is located in the Throne Room, where through an array of high-end visual equipment and projections, the magnificent D’Aleccio frescoes will be brought to life and visitors will be able to immerse themselves back in time, in order to experience virtual moments from the Great Siege.
Heritage Malta’s exhibition 1565 – The Great Siege of Malta is being held in collaboration with Malta Libraries. It is open to the public until December 6, 2015. Opening times are Monday to Friday (closed every Thursday) from 10am till 4:30pm, with last admissions at 4pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the exhibition is open from 9am till 4:30pm, with last admissions at 4pm. A full colour catalogue of the exhibition is available from the museum shop.
Tickets cost €15 for adults, €10 for seniors and students, €5 for children aged 12 to 15 years, and free for children aged 11 years and under. Entrance is free on Sunday. Family ticket costs €20 and admits two adults and up to three children. Heritage Malta members enter for free.
For more information visit www.heritagemalta.org/1565.