Knights of Malta

The Knights of Malta, formally the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, is a Catholic religious order that traces its origins to medieval Jerusalem.

Originally the Knights Hospitaller, founded around 1099 to care for sick pilgrims, they became a military order during the Crusades and later ruled Malta for nearly three centuries.

Today the order operates as a humanitarian organization with unique international status—maintaining diplomatic relations with over 100 countries despite having no territory.

The Knights of Malta run hospitals and ambulance services across Europe.