Birgu

Birgu, officially Vittoriosa, occupies a peninsula on the far side of the Grand Harbour and was the Knights' first base on Malta from 1530, before Valletta existed. It held out through the siege of 1565, and the name Vittoriosa was given for that. The streets are narrow and largely unchanged, running between auberges of the early orders, the Collachio quarter where knights lived, and out to the fort at the point. The marina below is full of large yachts.

Background

Birgu, the Città Vittoriosa or Victorious City, stands on the south side of the Grand Harbour on a promontory with Fort Saint Angelo at its tip and Cospicua at its base. Its sheltered anchorage gave it a long history of seafaring and trade, and from 1530 to 1571 it was the base of the Order of Saint John and in effect the capital of Malta. In the early 20th century more than 6000 people lived here, but by March 2014 the population had fallen to 2,629. Locals speak the Cottonera dialect, though less here than in the neighbouring towns.

Source: Wikipedia, "Birgu"

The main sights

• The Collachio - the quarter of narrow lanes where the knights lived before Valletta.
• The early auberges - the first lodges of the langues, predating those in Valletta.
• The waterfront - the restored quay and marina below the bastions.
• The bastioned walls - the fortifications that held through the 1565 siege.

When to go

March to June and September to November are most comfortable. The Birgufest illuminations in October fill the streets with candles. Summer is hot and the streets are narrow and shadeless in places.

Before you go

Streets are steep and cobbled and hard going in heat. Several of the historic auberges are private and cannot be entered. Cruise excursions crowd the main routes in season.

Nearby

Fort St Angelo is at the point, and Senglea is across the creek.

Key facts