FORT SAN ANGELO (FORT SAN ANGELO)

Built on a mound at the tip of the Birgu peninsula, this fortress dominates the Grand Harbour. A strategic position identified as far back as Antiquity, particularly after the Phoenicians colonized the area in the first millennium BC, who, according to legend, built a complex dedicated to Astarte, followed later by a Roman complex dedicated to Juno. But it was during the Middle Ages that the Castrum Maris (seaside castle) was built, consisting of two enclosures, to protect the interests of the foreign crown in the Maltese islands. After 1530, the Order of St. John radically transformed Castrum Maris, naming it Fort St. Angelo and making it its headquarters, which also served as the residence of the Grand Master between 1530 and 1558. The former medieval castle was transformed into a gunpowder fortress by the construction of a series of artillery platforms, which enabled it to play a major role in the great siege of 1565. In 1690, Fort St Angelo took on its current appearance as a stronghold capable of defending the coast. Under British rule, it became a Royal Navy shore establishment from 1912 to 1979, and was renamed HMS St Angelo in 1933. The tour not only reveals its history through exhibits, but also allows you to visualize the different architectural styles of this monument. And, of course, you can take in the panoramic view of the Grand Port and surrounding fortified towns.