Map of Malta and Gozo, 1734.
Malta and Gozo were ruled by the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem between 1530 and 1798. After being expelled from its previous base in Rhodes, the Order was given Malta and Gozo together with the North-African town of Tripoli in 1530 as a gift by Emperor Charles V., the King of Sicily. In exchange, the Order had to follow conditions laid down by the King and pay an annual fee of a single Maltese falcon. This tradition persisted throughout the whole period of Malta under the Order of Saint John.
An illustrated book “Knights of Malta, 1523-1798” by Reuben Cohen describes the full history of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and its influence on European events.
Buy restored reproduction of this map printed on a high quality handmade paper here.