18/02/2022
Such a rich and fascinating history. I always learn something new on my walks around our beautiful city.
The ancient walled city of Birgu is known for having been at the forefront in the fight led by the Knights against the Ottoman invaders during the Great Siege on Malta of 1565, earning the city the title of 'Città Vittoriosa’ after the Order successfully repelled a 35,000-strong Turkish army.
BIRGU - MALTA’S HISTORICAL HEART
Birgu forms part of the so-called Three Cities of Malta, which embraces the three fortified hamlets of Birgu, Cospicua and Senglea (also known as Vittoriosa, Bormla and Isla respectively). Whilst Senglea and Cospicua were established with the arrival of the Knights, Birgu has even older historical roots that may be traced to the Phoenician era.
FROM CITTÀ VITTORIOSA TO CITTÀ FASCINOSA
Today, the old streets of Birgu are lined with pretty houses that have become very fashionable and sought after. These dwellings have all the features one would expect to find in a Maltese urban landscape: bright coloured doors and apertures, wrought iron, wooden closed balconies and the quirky door knockers we all love! Plenty of foilage in the street in this picture too, which adds a nice and 'healthy' touch!
MALTA’S OLD CAPITAL CITY
Birgu acted as Malta’s capital city from 1530 until 1571 when, upon completing the construction of Valletta, the Order moved its seat across the Grand Harbour.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK BUT CLOSE TO IT ALL
Which in a way sums up a lot of the less popular but equally charming streets and places you will enjoy exploring when in Malta. This street is in fact off the beaten track but a heartbeat away from key cultural, natural and historical sites of the area.
Copyright © Kappa Vision / Jean-Paul Borg.
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