For the final episode in our mini series on the rich maritime history of Malta Dr Sam Willis and Daisy Turnbull find themselves out in a boat in Valletta’s grand harbour, and this time we’re being treated to a culinary extravaganza: a meal that would have been eaten by Maltese corsairs. The Matese corsairs were a major ingredient in Maltese maritime history and cultural identity, embodying the island’s strategic role at the crossroads of the Mediterranean. Operating from Malta under the Knights of St. John, Maltese corsairs defended Christian shipping, disrupted Ottoman and North African naval power, and contributed to the island’s economy through privateering. Their exploits shaped Malta’s seafaring identity, blending military duty with maritime entrepreneurship, and left a lasting legacy in the island’s naval traditions and coastal fortifications. In this episode we experience a unique slant on this tale and are treated to a feast laid on by Taste History, a venture operated by Heritage Malta which offers food from the age of the enlightenment. Taste History offers culinary experiences that bring historical food and menus back to life using archival documents (recipe books, kitchen inventories, butcher bills) plus archaeological discoveries to inspire and inform their dishes, all made from seasonal ingredients and prepared by professional chefs dedicated to the art and science of recreating historical meals. The meal is complete with a variety of wines whose existence is proven in historical documents. Sam and Daisy discuss the history of corsairs and the food they would have eaten with Liam Gauci from Heritage Malta. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37:56
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37:56
Island Fortress - Malta in World War 2: Maritime Malta 4
Continuing our mini series on the fascinating maritime history of Malta, we jump several centuries forward to the Second World War, in which Malta, an isolated rock in the middle of the Mediterranean, suddenly found itself at the very heart of the war. To the north the Italians were flexing their naval muscles; to the south the Germans had invaded North Africa; to the east and west ran a crucial maritime artery of global trade and military movement between Gibraltar and Suez. To find out more about Malta's strategic importance during World War II Dr Sam Willis visits the National War Museum in Fort St Elmo and speaks with Keith Gatt, curator of Malta's WWII history at Heritage Malta. They discuss how Malta's central Mediterranean location made it crucial for controlling sea lanes and interfering with Axis convoys. The island faced severe air and naval attacks, with over 6,000 tons of bombs dropped in April 1942 alone. Key events include the Taranto raid in 1940, the 10th submarine flotilla's operations, and the pivotal Operation Pedestal in August 1942. The discussion also highlights the human cost, with around 1,500 civilian casualties. Sam goes on to explore numerous artefacts recovered from the war with Curtis Callus, the museum's Assistant Curator. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:58
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36:58
Seapower and The Knights of St John: Maritime Malta 3
The Order of St John was founded in the eleventh century in Jerusalem as a religious and military order dedicated to caring for sick and poor pilgrims in the Holy Land. How they ended up over 1000 miles away on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, embedded in one of the greatest fortifications of the medieval world, is one of history's greatest maritime stories. In this episode, Dr Sam Willis and maritime historian Liam Gauci from Heritage Malta explore that history. They visit the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta and marvel at its armoury and frescoes depicting naval battles. They tell the story of how the Knights were granted Malta by Charles V in 1530, built a significant fleet and fortifications and then survived the Great Siege of 1565 when the Knights, outnumbered 40,000 to 12,000, successfully defended their island home against the Ottomans. The episode highlights the Knights' naval prowess, their influence on Mediterranean maritime history, and their contributions to Malta's social welfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39:06
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39:06
Shipwrecks of Malta: Maritime Malta 2
Malta’s strategic location at the centre of the Mediterranean, combined with its long maritime history, means that its sea-beds are rich with heritage. In this episode we explore Malta's astonishing underwater cultural heritage, managed by Heritage Malta.Visiting the headquarters of Malta's Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit, Dr Sam Willis speaks with Maja Sausmeka, the Senior Principal Officer for Maritime Archaeology at Heritage Malta. They discuss in depth Gozo's Phoenician shipwreck, the oldest known in the Central Mediterranean, located at 110 meters off Gozo's coast. The wreck, dating back to the 7th century BC, contains amphorae, urns, and grinding stones. They discuss recent projects, including shallow water excavations in Salina Bay and deep water excavations of a range of sites, including a wealth of sunken ships and planes from the Second World War. The team uses 3D photogrammetry for documentation and aims to create a sonar map of Malta's entire seabed to protect and manage underwater heritage effectively. They discuss in detail the richness of Malta's underwater heritage and the ongoing challenges of protecting it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Valletta's Grand Harbour and the Rolex Middle Sea Race: Maritime Malta 1
This is the first episode in a new mini series on the rich and fascinating maritime history of Malta. The episode is recorded on a yacht in the centre of Valletta's historic Grand Harbour, at the opening of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, one of the world's most famous yacht races. Dr Sam Willis uncovers the history of the race and its magnificent historic surroundings with Liam Gauci from Heritage Malta, which safeguards Malta's many museums, historic sites and landmarks. They discuss the economic and strategic importance of the Grand Harbour, the fortified cities of Valletta and Birgu, and the mighty Fort St Elmo and Fort St Angelo. They explore the role of the Knights of St. John in shaping Malta's history. As the race gets underway with cannon fire from the historic battlements and the magnificent yachts sail past, they discuss the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which began in the 1960s in a fierce rivalry between British and Maltese sailors. It was designed as a major test of seamanship, the race starting and finishing in Valletta after a circumnavigation of Sicily, and all in the unstable weather of the Mediterranean Autumn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The world's No.1 podcast dedicated to all of maritime and naval history. With one foot in the present and one in the past we bring you the most exciting and interesting current maritime projects worldwide: including excavations of shipwrecks, the restoration of historic ships, sailing classic yachts and tall ships, unprecedented behind the scenes access to exhibitions, museums and archives worldwide, primary sources and accounts that bring the maritime past alive as never before. From the Society for Nautical Research, and the Lloyds Register Foundation. Presented by Dr Sam Willis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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