Lust, gluttony, greed, envy, pride and all sorts of sins are not the basis of a soap opera, but they can easily be associated with the Knights of Malta, when the Order went into decline. Its finances, its military prowess and even its morals degraded through the decades, relegating the Golden Age of Malta under the Knights to a faint memory of the past.
This process is perhaps best reflected in the lives led by some of the Grand Masters. The monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience were quickly replaced. "Poverty" was expressed in the lavish palaces and impressive Baroque architecture which adorns the city of Valletta to this day. Chastity was replaced by orgies and, occasionally, illegitimate offspring. Obedience became useful only when it was time to overthrow an old Grand Master from his throne.
The truth is that in later years, once the Holy War against the Ottoman Empire had ended and there was no scope left for crusades, many knights lost or never had any real vocation once they arrived in Valletta, a city full of temptation. Many of them, young and old alike, spent their free time gambling, duelling, and chasing prostitutes.
On this private gossip tour of Valletta, your licensed guide walks you through the city to uncover this uncensored version of history that you won't find in the guidebooks. As this walking tour deals with adult themes, it's recommended for ages 16 and over. With its scandalous stories and shared laughs, it also makes a great, out-of-the-ordinary team building activity for groups looking for something different.