Birgu - Vittoriosa - Città Vittoriosa

Birgu (Maltese: Città Vittoriosa or Birgu) is an ancient city in Malta.

Birgu (meaning 'town' in Maltese), is a very old locality on the south side of the Grand Harbour in Malta with its origins reaching back to medieval times. The town occupies a promontory of land with Fort St Angelo at its head and the city of Cospicua at its base.

Until the Order of St John built Valletta to serve as the new capital, Malta was administered from Birgu. The order lived in Birgu where it had its Convent, the Hospital, the Auberges (hotels providing lodging for travellers), the Conventual Church, the Arsenals, and all the functions of its power.

Birgu - Città Vittoriosa played a vital role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

After the Great Siege even though the Order moved its seat to Valletta, Vittoriosa retained its importance for the Order and Malta, with Fort St Angelo continuing to serve as an integral link in the Grand Harbour's defence while the Order's navy had its base in the Vittoriosa Marina.

In recent years, due to an agreement made by the Maltese Government with Sovereign Military Order of Malta, this Catholic Order of Knighthood has returned to the Island. This agreement, which has a duration of 99 years, grants the Knights of Malta the exclusive use of Fort St Angelo in the town old of Birgu.

Fortifications in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Fort St Angelo, Poste d'Angleterre, Poste de Castille, The Breach Bastion, St Janes Cavalier, St John's Cavalier

Churches in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Church of the Nativity, Our Lady of Monserrat, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St Philip Church, St Anne Church, St Lawrence Parish Church, Church of the Annunciation

Gateways in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Advance Gate, Couvre Porte, Main Gate, Cottonera's Main Gate (Notre Dame Gate / Bieb is-Sultan)

Visitor Attractions in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Cottonera Waterfront Marina, Coronation Gardens

Historical Sites in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Order of St John's Bakery, Holy Infirmary, Norman Building, Executioner's House, Armoury and Civil Hospital, Knight's Hall

Museums in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Maritime Museum, Church Museum, Vittoriosa 1565, Malta at War Muneum

Palaces in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Hostels of the Galleys' Captains, Bettina Palace, Inquisitor's Palace, Conventual Chaplains, The Universita, Bishop's Palace

Auberges in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Auberge D'Italie, Auberge D'Allemagne, Auberge D'Auvergne and Provence, Auberge D'France, Auberge D'Aragon, Auberge D'Angleterre, De Castille

Monuments in Birgu (Vittoriosa): Great Siege Victory Monument, Freedom Monument