Скачать или смотреть 2021 08 29 MALTA - VITTORIOSA

Vittoriosa (Birgu) is the oldest of an area in Malta referred to as The Three Cities (which also consist of Senglea and Cospicua) – three fortified cities built in very close proximity to each other around the Grand Harbour. It’s located right across the water from Valletta, facing Malta capital city’s Southern side. It served as the capital city of Malta between 1530 and 1571 until Valletta was built. The Knights wisely built Fort St Angelo at the very tip of Birgu due to its significant position overlooking the Grand Harbour. Apart from being their living quarters, this fort also housed the arsenal of the Order. The fort protected the harbour, guaranteeing safe anchorage, which in turn promoted mercantile and military activities.

Leading off the Victiora Square are the narrow winding streets of the Collachio, the medieval heart of the ancient city. Here the Knights of St John lived and built their Auberges. One of the eight auberges built in Birgu in the 16th century by the Knights, the Auberge d’Angleterre is still in use today as a public library.

A magnificent piece of architecture, the Inquisitor’s Palace was built by the Knights in the 1530s. Afterwards, it served as home to the Inquisitors of the Roman Catholic Church, complete with prison cells, tribunal room, chapel and myriad dark legends of torture and punishment.

The Church of Saint Lawrence built in Baroque style in the shape of a Latin cross was used by the Knights for very important functions before St. John’s Cathedral was built in Valletta.