Gozitan historian and author Joseph Scicluna will delve into the evolving fortunes of the Order of St John across two transformative periods in the next public talk at Il-Hagar Museum, Gozo.

Beginning with the 1522 Siege of Rhodes, he will discuss the Knights’ defence of the Aegean stronghold against Sultan Suleiman and the Order’s gruelling eight-year exile before re-establishing themselves in Malta in 1530.

The narrative then moves on to the eighteenth century, highlighting how the modernisation of the Hospitaller fleet enabled naval commander Jacques François de Chambray to amass a fortune from Mediterranean victories.

Driven to protect Gozo’s vulnerable population, Chambray personally funded the construction of Fort Chambray at Ras it-Tafal in 1749, leaving an enduring lithic legacy.

This event is taking place on Saturday, the 21s of November at 11am, in collaboration with Kite Group and admission is free.

Il-Hagar Museum’s full events programme for 2026-2027 may be accessed here

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