On a fine day in early June of 1798, a forest of masts encircled Malta and every knight on the island was gripped by fear of what was to come. More than 280 vessels loomed on the horizon, boasting a firepower of 1,026 cannons. Aboard the vessels, 54,000 French troops were ready to disembark.
This pivotal moment in the history of Malta – and the letter that led to it – feature in a new Heritage Malta documentary. Entitled L-Ittra ta’ Napuljun (Napoleon’s Letter), the documentary has been produced with the support of historians, military experts, linguists and curators who discuss the unique document that kickstarted the French rule in Malta.