Order of the Knights Hospitaller

The Order of the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Knights of Malta, was a medieval Christian military and charitable organization founded in the 11th century. Initially established to provide care for sick pilgrims in Jerusalem, it evolved into a military order dedicated to defending Christendom during the Crusades. The knights were both warriors and caregivers, operating hospitals and fortresses across Europe, the Levant, and later Malta. Over centuries, they played a significant role in religious, military, and diplomatic affairs, maintaining a unique blend of charitable work and military prowess until the order transformed into a sovereign entity today, based in Malta.