Fort St Angelo – Additional Programme

Strategically located on a hillock at the end of the Birgu peninsula, the fort dominates the Grand Harbour. By 1274, the stronghold, previously known as Castrum Maris, consisted of two enclosures. After 1530, the Order of St John christened this military structure Fort St Angelo and turned it into their headquarters. The Knights remodelled the building extensively, and the rejuvenated sentinel of the Grand Harbour had a major role during the Great Siege of 1565. In 1689 military engineer Carlos Grunenbergh spearheaded its transformation into a forceful coastal work. The Royal Navy later established its Mediterranean command within the fort. During World War II, Fort St Angelo suffered 69 direct hits.