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Fort St. Elmo, Valletta
Fort St. Elmo guard’s the approach to
the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. It was built in 1488 and was the
scene of a heroic defence during the Great Seige of 1565. The British
added gun emplacements in the 19th century. In front of the fort are the
St. Elmo Granaries, storage silos with stone lids.
Fort Rinella, Kalkara
Fort Rinella was built by the British
between 1878 and 1886, at a time when the islands were threatened by the
supremacy of the Italian Navy. The fort houses a single gun that weighs
100 tons. It has a 32 foot long barrel with a 17.72 inch calibre. It could
fire a one-ton shell that could pierce 21 inches of armor at three miles.
Fort St. Angelo, Vittoriosa
Fort St. Angelo is the jewel in the
crown of Malta’s military heritage. Records show that a mediaeval fort
known as Castrum Maris stood on the same site in 1274 and it was occupied
by the Aragonese and the Angevins. In 1530 Forts St. Angelo became the
seat of the Order’s Grand Master. In the 19th century the British
took over the fort and it became the British naval headquarters and the
base of the Allied naval operations in the Mediterranean during World War
II.
Fort Madliena, Madliena
Fort Madliena, at 132 metres above sea
level, is an inconspicuous fort constructed by the British in 1878. It is
the most northerly of the string of forts along the Victoria Lines. During
World War II it housed the main radar station.
Fort Mosta, Mosta
Fort Mosta is part of the string of
forts along the Victoria Lines. It was built by the British between 1878
and 1885. The guns of Fort Mosta covered a wide arc that extended from the
Grand Harbour to the approaches to St. Paul’s Bay.
Victoria Lines, East to West
The Victoria Lines where constructed by the British during the late 19th
century along what is known as the ‘great fault’. This land split
stretches from the west to the eastern coast and almost bisects the
island. At its highest point at 239 metres above sea level, it was a
natural defence system which both the knights of St. John and British
capitalised on. What remains of the Victoria Lines, can be best
appreciated on foot, especially at the western end by Bingemma Gap.
Wignacourt Tower, St. Paul's Bay
Wignacourt Tower is the oldest surviving
coastal tower built by the Order of St. John in their effort to counter
attack. The tower houses the island Fortress exhibition.
Red Tower, Limits of Mellieha
The Red Tower or St. Agatha’s Tower
commands the high ground on Marfa Ridge. The tower was built in 1647 by
Grand Master Lascaris. At the time of its construction it was the furthest
outpost from Valletta and served as a signal post for communications with
Gozo.
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About Malta
Introduction
Getting Around
Places to Visit
Valletta
The Three Cities
Mdina & Rabat
Gozo & Comino
Places of Interest
Historical Buildings & Gardens
Museums
Temple & Geological
Important Churches
Forts & Fortifications
Other Attractions
Shopping & Markets
Beaches & Bays
Nightlife & Theatre
Family Attractions
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