- Type
- Fortress
- Origins
- 1691 · 17th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Malta Xlokk, Malta
- Commissioned by
- Knights Hospitaller
- Coordinates
- 35.8924°, 14.5177°
History
A stronghold stood on the Birgu promontory in the Middle Ages, recorded in the 13th century as the castrum maris. In 1530 the Knights of St John arrived in Malta and made the castle their first headquarters, strengthening its defences. During the Great Siege of 1565 the fort was the centre of Grand Master Jean de La Valette's defence and never fell to the Ottomans. In the 1690s the engineer Carlos de Grunenbergh added artillery batteries facing the sea. From 1912 to 1979 the British used the fort as a naval base under the name HMS St Angelo, and after restoration it opened to visitors in 2015.
What to see
The bastions and batteries look out over the Grand Harbour, Valletta and Senglea. Exhibitions trace the fort's history from the Middle Ages to British times, and the summit holds the Chapel of St Anne and the former Grand Master's house. The upper part of the fort belongs to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Don't miss the rock-cut cell where Caravaggio was held.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q2207146
Popularity: articles about this site in 23 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).