The Maltese cross originally was the symbol of the Knights Hospitaller, aka the Oder of Saint John. The knight's order was founded in Jerusalem in the 11th century. Its goal was to protect Christian pilgrims on their journey into the Holy Land, and to defend the holy places against the Muslims. Later, the knights of Saint John settled on Malta, and are since then known as knights of Malta. The Maltese cross has become the symbol associated with the island of Malta.