Malta’s Living Fortresses of War and History
Malta is a small island with a colossal past. Its capital, Valletta, and the neighboring Three Cities, Vittoriosa (Birgu), Senglea (Isla), and Cospicua (Bormla)—tell a story that spans centuries, empires, and wars. Shaped by conflict and carved from golden limestone, these cities are living museums of military might, religious devotion, and resilience, with the indelible mark of the Order of St. John etched into their very foundations.
The Order of St. John: Crusaders Turned Nation Builders
The story of Valletta and the Three Cities is incomplete without understanding the Order of St. John, also known as the Knights Hospitaller. Originally a religious and military order founded during the Crusades to care for pilgrims in the Holy Land, the Knights were granted Malta by Emperor Charles V in 1530 after losing Rhodes to the Ottomans.
Their presence transformed the island. Birgu became their first base, and from there, they constructed formidable fortifications, hospitals, and palaces. But their most ambitious project would rise later—Valletta, a new fortified city built after the pivotal Great Siege of 1565, when the Knights and Maltese people successfully repelled the invading Ottoman forces.
Valletta: Fortress, Sanctuary, Capital
Following the siege, the Knights realized that Malta needed a stronger defensive capital. Jean Parisot de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order, spearheaded the founding of Valletta in 1566. Designed by Italian engineer Francesco Laparelli, the city was revolutionary: one of the first planned cities in Europe, laid out in a rigid grid pattern with bastions, walls, and underground cisterns. Valletta was both a fortress and a statement—a city born from war, built to deter it.
Walking through Valletta today, it’s easy to forget its violent beginnings. The baroque architecture, elegant palazzos, and sunlit squares exude grace. Yet, beneath this beauty lies a network of WWII bomb shelters, tunnels carved into the rock that once housed thousands during relentless air raids. Malta was among the most heavily bombed places during the Second World War, and these shelters became essential lifelines for survival.
The Cradle of Malta’s Maritime History
Before Valletta, the Knights called Birgu (Vittoriosa) home. It’s the oldest of the Three Cities and played a starring role in the Great Siege. Its Fort St. Angelo was the stronghold from which the Knights coordinated their resistance. Today, Birgu’s narrow streets and historic waterfront feel like a step back in time, with centuries-old churches, auberges, and armories still standing.
Across the creek lies Senglea, named after Grand Master Claude de la Sengle. Senglea earned the title “Città Invicta” for its heroic resistance during the siege. Its strategic position made it crucial for harbor defense, and its gardens and bastions still offer some of the best panoramic views of the Grand Harbour.
The youngest of the trio, Cospicua, was heavily fortified in the 17th century and served as a hub for dockyard workers. During British rule, the Malta Dockyard in Cospicua became vital for naval repairs, especially during both world wars.
Together, these cities formed the beating heart of Malta’s maritime might. Their harbors housed galleys of the Knights, then ships of the British Empire, and today, luxury yachts from around the world.
World War II: Shadows Beneath the Stones
While the Great Siege defined the 16th century, the 20th century brought another test—World War II. Malta’s location between Europe and North Africa made it a key strategic base. The island endured over 3,000 air raids, with Valletta and the Three Cities bearing the brunt of the bombardment.
The British had turned Malta into a vital supply point, and the Axis powers sought to neutralize it. Valletta’s Grand Harbour was repeatedly attacked, and so too were the cities that surrounded it. The Maltese people, however, refused to surrender. Their courage earned the island the George Cross, awarded by King George VI in 1942 for “heroism and devotion”—a symbol still proudly featured on Malta’s national flag.
During these air raids, bomb shelters dug deep into the limestone became sanctuaries. Many still exist today and are open for visits, stark reminders of how thousands lived underground to escape death from above.
Beneath the Waves: Wrecks of War
Malta’s wartime history doesn’t end at the shoreline. The waters surrounding Valletta are dotted with the sunken relics of war. Divers can explore shipwrecks of British submarines, German bombers, and even Italian torpedo boats—time capsules preserved by the sea.
One notable wreck is the HMS Maori, a British destroyer sunk by German bombers in 1942 in the Grand Harbour. Today it rests off Valletta’s coast, teeming with marine life and offering divers a haunting yet beautiful look at Malta’s WWII legacy.
These wrecks are not just dive sites—they’re war graves, stories frozen in saltwater, part of Malta’s ongoing relationship with its past.
Living Heritage
Valletta and the Three Cities aren’t just places to read about history—they’re places where history lives and breathes. The Fort St. Elmo and National War Museum, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and the vibrant waterfront promenades all invite you to witness the layers of Malta’s past.
From the clash of empires to the siege of nations, from medieval orders to modern resilience, Valletta and they are testaments to survival. They endured war, emerged stronger, and continue to captivate anyone who walks their streets, peers into their shelters, or dives into their depths.
For any traveler drawn to stories of courage, strategy, and spirit, this corner of Malta offers a narrative like no other—etched in stone, sky, and sea.
