The Knights of Malta

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Knights of Malta in Mdina is a captivating museum located within the historic bastion walls of the medieval city of Mdina, Malta. Housed in Casa Magazzini on Magazine Street, this immersive attraction brings to life the rich history of the Knights of St. John—the distinguished religious and military order that shaped Malta’s destiny for over two centuries. Visitors are invited to step through time, reliving epic moments from the Crusades through to the Order’s expulsion in 1798.

About the Museum

This museum offers a dramatic and highly engaging experience across three floors of displays and audiovisual storytelling. On entering Casa Magazzini, guests are immediately transported into vivid tableaux—thirty‑four life‑size scenes populated with more than one hundred and twenty intricately costumed figures, each modelled after historical records or portraiture. Advanced 3D technology, atmospheric lighting, dynamic sound, and even carefully curated scents enhance these scenes, depicting everything from the founding of the Order and Grand Master L’Isle‑Adam’s arrival in Mdina, to the Great Siege, hospital care, and the dramatic earthquake of 1693.

A central feature is a 3D audio‑visual show that narrates the full sweep of the Order’s history in thirteen languages—English, Maltese, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, Greek, Danish, Norwegian, Russian, and Japanese. The experience typically lasts around forty minutes, combining a narrated walkthrough with the immersive audiovisual theatre.

Visitors will gain insight into the knights’ dual mission—providing care to the sick and defending Christendom—traveling from Jerusalem to Rhodes and eventually Malta, where they became rulers and architects of Valletta. The exhibition also highlights the artistry behind the costumes and stagecraft: costumes are crafted from historically accurate fabrics like brocade, velvet, and silk, wigs and props are tailored to match known portraits, and designers even recreated Gobelin tapestries digitally to replicate Grandmaster palaces.

Accessibility information is clearly communicated on site: visitors should be prepared for stairs (twenty steps to first floor, five more to upper levels) and narrow passages, but ramps, handrails, audio guides, laminated leaflets, seating, toilets, and guide‑dog access are all provided.

Operating every day from 10:00 to 17:00 (except 25 December), the museum offers ticket prices of six euros fifty cents for adults and three euros for children. Group bookings of 15 or more benefit from a two‑euro discount per adult.

Interesting Facts

Thirty‑four detailed tableaux bring to life pivotal events of the Knights’ two‑hundred‑year rule.
Over one hundred and twenty life‑size figures are dressed in authentic fabrics and styled after historic likenesses.
Immersive features include dramatic lighting, sound effects, storytelling narration, and even ambient scents to recreate siege scenes, hospitals, maritime disasters, and baroque banquets .
Multilingual narration is available in thirteen languages, ensuring the exhibit is accessible to a global audience.
Balanced storytelling covers both the knights’ care for the sick and their military engagements, such as the Great Siege of Malta and defense of pilgrims.
High‑tech historical reconstruction, including visual re‑creation of Gobelin tapestries and digital soundscapes, combine with rigorous academic research.
Typical visit duration is approximately forty minutes, offering an enriching yet manageable experience.
Group benefits include discounted rates and hosted experiences ideal for team events, parties, or educational outings.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +3562 145 1342

Website: theknightsofmalta.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/aioknightsofmalta/

Conclusion

The Knights of Malta in Mdina offers a deeply immersive and educational journey into Malta’s illustrious past. Rather than static displays, the museum presents living history, placing visitors at the heart of pivotal moments—from religious devotion and battlefield heroism to artistic ambition and architectural endeavour. The thoughtful blend of authentic costume and character detail, cutting‑edge presentation, and multilingual commentary makes this museum both engaging and accessible to families, history enthusiasts, and school groups alike. Located in the historic Casa Magazzini, this cultural gem is both intimate and impressive, inviting visitors to trace the Order’s centuries‑long impact on Malta’s heritage. A visit here is a must for anyone seeking to connect with the spirit of the Knights of St. John and the legacy they left behind.