Vittoriosa (Birgu) Palazzo

The Three Cities

Vittoriosa

Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are the cities across the Grand Harbour from Valletta known as the Three Cities of Malta. It is to be said that the Maltese living in the area still call the cities Birgu, L’Isla and Bormla respectively. In the 17 th century the Order of St John decided to protect these cities by building two lines of defence known as the Cottonera lines and the Margarita Lines. Under the British the three cities were a hive of activity as the Grand Harbour became the home of the Royal Navy.

Vittoriosa is undoubtedly not only the oldest but historically the most important of the three. It developed around the earlier Fort St Angelo as a fishing village and was originally known as Birgu. When the Knights of the Order of St John arrived in Malta they settled in Birgu and declared it as their first capital city. Fort St Angelo was enlarged and Birgu flourished rapidly as the Knights spent considerable sums in building their auberges and churches.

Vittoriosa boasts many places of interest such as the first Conventual Church of the Order of St John dedicated to St Lawrence, Fort St Angelo, the National Maritime Museum and the Inquisitor’s Palace which incorporates a Folk Museum.

Today one finds various wine bars, cafes and restaurants catering for all tastes at the Cottonera Waterfront along an International Yacht Marina which hosts a significant number of super yachts. One also finds property finished to specifications of the highest standard.

With the development that has taken place in the last decades, the three cities are now attracting Maltese and visitors alike who are buying property and converting it to state-of-the-art homes.