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 Places of interest I |
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The Citadel
Gozo 's Citadel is an impressive and imposing defensive structure that was built in the late medieval era. It is set atop a hill overlooking Gozo . After it was besieged in 1565, it was re-fortified and strengthened. The Citadel originally served as the main residence of the local villagers in turbulent times. In fact, it was required by law for the local Gozitans to seek refuge within the Citadel walls at night. In more peaceful times, the locals settled the surrounding area, creating the suburban town of Victoria. Within the Citadel, visitors can find many museums, shops, and a marketplace.
Address: Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria.
Telephone: 215 63 344
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Clapham Junction and Ghar il-Kbir
Ghar il-Kbir ( the Great Cave ) south of Buskett Forest on Western Malta was an ancient habitation from prehistoric times until 1835. It is a complex of caves. Prominent features of this area are the ruts that resemble tracks, presumably tracks for carts, that travel around the cave complex. The tracks or ruts supposedly date back to the Neolithic period and are thought to have been used for carts that transported soil and rocks. The tracks were given the name of Clapham Junction , London's busiest railway junction.
Address: Dingli.
Telephone: 212 21 623
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De Redin Towers
Throughout the Maltese coastline, one could find ancient watch towers. These are called De Redin towers after the Maltese Grand Master who ordered their construction in 1657. These towers served to watch out for invasion by pirates from the Barbary Coast and the Saracen Turks. The towers form a line on the eastern coastline of Malta Island . Each tower was built in such a way to be visible from the adjacent towers, so it was possible to send signals to other towers through smoke or fire signals. After the 18 th century, when raids slowly came to an end, the towers were abandoned. Today, a few of these towers have been restored to their original condition.
Address: Valletta.
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Fort Chambray
Fort Chambray was originally built as fortification that would protect Gozitans from the Barbary Corsairs. It was designed by the Knights of Malta in 1723 and construction started in 1749. The fort bears the name of the naval commander Jacques-Francois de Chambray, who actually died in 1756 before the fort was completed. More recently, the fort has served as a garrison in the British period and as a tourist complex.
Address: Mgarr.
Telephone: 212 20 358
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Fort Madliena
Fort Madliena is the northernmost of a line of forts that defend Malta from the north, similar to the De Redin towers in the east. This line of forts is known as the Victoria Lines, named after the British Queen Victoria in honor of her Diamond Jubilee.
Address: Madliena, Swieqi.
Telephone: 213 35 524
Fort Mosta
Fort Mosta is another of the forts belonging to the Victoria Lines. The guns of Fort Mosta cover a sweep beginning from the entrance to the Grand Harbor and ending close to St. Paul's Bay . The fort is a fine example of Victorian-era military architecture.
Address: Mosta.
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Fort Ricasoli
This is a massive fortress that sits on the south entrance of the Grand Harbor , opposite Fort St. Elmo . It is a huge fortress with seven stalwart bastions, considered to be largely impenetrable in its day. It was used as a naval fort by the British in the 19 th century. It played an important defensive role in World War II and was used as a barracks for some time after the war.
Address: Kalkara.
Telephone: 214 97 970
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Fort Rinella
Fort Rinella was built between 1878 and 1886 by the British as a defense against Italian naval vessels. A massive 100 ton gun was installed at the fort, the largest cannon in the world at the time. The fort was used in a defensive capacity until 1906, when its weapons became obsolete. During the second World War, the fort was used as a naval watch post by the British.
Address: St. Rocco Road, Kalkara.
Telephone: 218 09 713
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Fort St. Angelo
This is the finest fort in Malta 's military heritage, having an illustrious military history. Even in ancient times, the Romans built a fort right on the very spot of the present-day structure. Later, in the medieval ages, the Aragonese and the Angevins occupied the same area. When the Knights arrived, they established the seat of the Grand Master of the order here in 1530. The fort played a heroic defensive role in the Great Siege of 1565, when it repelled the Saracen armada in a highly pitched naval battle. When the British took over the fort in the 19 th century, it was officially listed as a battleship. Currently, the fort is being renovated and restored.
Address: Vittoriosa.
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Fort St. Elmo
This is another strategic fort that guards the entrances to the Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbor. It was a valorous defender in the Great Siege of 1565 against a Saracen fleet. A smaller fort originally stood on the site; this was built in 1488 during the Aragonese occupation of Malta. When the Knights arrived, they reinforced the existing fort to protect against the invading Ottoman Turks at the start of the Great Siege. However, the fort fell during the siege, after inflicting heavy losses on the invaders. When the siege was ended, the fort was strengthened further by the Knights. In more modern times, the fort has seen action in a number of occasions, most notably in the second World War. It was the prime target of the Italian air fleet when World War II began. Today, the fort houses the War Museum and the Maltese Police Academy.
Address: St. Elmo Street, Valletta.
Telephone: 212 22 430
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