Fort Sant Angelo

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Unapproachable, unshakable, brutal and powerful - all these epithets can not be better suited to describe the fort of Sant'Angelo in the Maltese Birgu. When the birth of this large military fortification is unknown. The researchers argue that the first buildings here date back to the times of the Roman Empire, although the fort has been rebuilt and fortified since then. The latest "annex" to the fort dates back to the 11th century, when Malta was under the control of the Arabs - it's the watch tower, or rather its remains.

In the 14th century, Sant'Angelo was known as the "Sea Castle" (Castello a Mare ) . Then the archipelago was ruled by Aragon and in particular by the influential family of Nava, whose residences the fort was and served . After arriving in 1530 . on the islands of the Hospitallers, who at first chose Birgu to be their location, Sant'Angelo became the main residence of the Great Master of the Order . The Knights made a significant contribution to the fastening the castle, thus increasing its military power . What, in turn, allowed them to withstand a serious siege of formidable Saracens in 1565 . For three long months, the Hospitallers held out for the walls of the fort, beating off the enemies as a result, for which Sant'Angelo entered in history for ages .

A year later the order will move to Valletta, start building a new inaccessible fortification there, but St. Angelo will not forget about it.

Despite the stormy 21st century, the Order of St. John of Malta is still the same exists and even rents from the state part of the fort.

With the arrival of Mal The fort remains an important military object for the British, and it is even classed according to the class "vessel" (HMS). In 1912 he was given the proud name of the British naval ship "Egmont" (HMS Egremont), but in 1933 the historical name HMS St Angelo was returned.

Fort Sant Angelo

During the two world wars, Sant'Angelo served the troops correctly allies of the British, and for three years of the Second World War (from 1940 to 1943) with dignity withstood 69 direct blows. In 1979, the fort was given with all the honors to the Maltese government to preserve the unique architecture of the former military facility for generations.

Despite the stormy 21st century, the Order of St. John of Malta still exists and even rents a part of the fort (judicial the palace, the chapel of St. Anne and some other buildings). The second half of Sant'Angelo today is occupied by a military museum. But even without its rich exposition, this bright "pearl" of the military heritage of the Maltese archipelago attracts thousands of tourists.

March 5, 2012 an agreement was signed on the allocation of EUR 13.4 million for restoration work, so the fort is temporarily closed for tourists. What does not prevent you from admiring its walls-gromadina against the background of the cloudless Maltese sky. After reconstruction, the government promises that Sant'Angelo will become the main historical landmark of the country, where excursions, cultural events, historical historical festivities and many other exciting events will take place.

Address: Xatt Il-Forn, Birgu.

Fort Sant'Angelo

Fort Sant'Angelo in the evening

Bell, Fort St. Angelo