The Three Cities Information
Your comprehensive guide to Everything Malta
Birgu, Bormla and Isla, commonly known as the Three cities, were renamed to Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea respectively by the Knights of St. John following the against-all-odds success in repelling the Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege of 1565. They are situated on the other side of the Grand Harbour from Valletta. The Three Cities actually predate the Maltese capital and were the first home of the Knights. This historical area has been left rather unexplored by tourists and they have largely retained their past architectural glory (even though very heavily hit during World War II). Holy days and feast days are celebrated here like nowhere else on the island and are a unique sight especially in Easter processions when devotees carrying large statues of the ‘Risen Christ’ run through crowd filled streets.
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| Fort St Angelo | Senglea watchtower |
Vittoriosa is the main draw of the three cities. Its old centre known as Il Collachio, is a mesmerizing network of beautiful alleys and lovely to explore while mixing with locals. The Inquisitors Palace is an architectural spectacle and a rare surviving place of its kind. With the mission to find and suppress heresy it left a deep impact on Maltese society. The Maritime museum also merits a visit with fine examples of model ships, paintings, nautical instruments, weapons and traditional Maltese boats. Fort St. Angelo at the tip of the Vittoriosa peninsula and majestically overlooking the Grand Harbour has defended the Maltese islands and its occupants since the 9th century. The fort is today a bizarre mix of medieval fortress and abandoned colonial offices (having served as the Mediterranean headquarters of the British fleet throughout most of the 1900s). For an unrivalled panorama of the Grand Harbour and Valletta, head out to Safe Haven Gardens in Senglea.
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| Vittoriosa | Il Collachio |
Vittoriosa also has its own modern commercial strip adjacent to the yacht marina, predictably named the Vittoriosa Waterfront. Here one can find quality restaurants, wine bars and a casino.
Another worthwhile outing a short drive from the three cities is Fort Rinella, purposely built to guard the biggest muzzle-loading gun ever made – the 100-ton Armstrong gun. Built in the late 19th century, with a 10m long barrel, a range of 6.4km and the ability to penetrate 15 inches of armour plating, the canon was the weapon of mass destruction of its time. Daily Victorian period historical re-enactments make it an overall recommended experience.
