Birgu, Medieval fortress city in Grand Harbour, Malta
Birgu is a fortified city on a peninsula in Grand Harbour, with narrow limestone streets and defensive walls encircling it. The layout gradually rises toward Fort Saint Angelo at the tip, where the strongest defenses stand.
The Knights of Saint John established their first headquarters in Malta here in 1530 and remained until 1571. The city was later reshaped by successive rulers and remained a key military stronghold for centuries.
The Inquisitor's Palace displays religious practices and judicial records from Malta's Roman Catholic Inquisition period. Walking through the old streets, you encounter layers of spiritual and legal history embedded in the architecture.
You can reach Birgu by ferry from Valletta across Grand Harbour or by bus from the main terminal. Wear comfortable shoes for the narrow streets, and you'll find cafes and rest spots throughout the town.
The Maritime Museum occupies a former Royal Navy bakery and displays ship models and naval equipment from different periods. The collection reflects how this location has been linked to the sea across multiple eras.
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The Bishop’s Palace and Curia
136 m
Inquisitor's Palace
96 m
Fortifications of Birgu
221 m
St. Lawrence's Church, Vittoriosa
116 m
Malta Maritime Museum
175 m
Auberge d'Angleterre
18 m
Auberge de France
60 m
Auberge d'Allemagne
29 m
Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence
47 m
Auberge de Castille et Portugal
94 m
Malta at War Museum
294 m
Birgu Clock Tower
50 m
Auberge d'Aragon
68 m
Chapel of Our Lady of Damascus, Birgu
76 m
Church of the Madonna of Monserrat
197 m
Church of the Madonna of the Guardian Angels
86 m
Church of the Annunciation
130 m
Niche of the Madonna of the Rosary
68 m
Statue of St. Lawrence
29 m
Advanced Gate
262 m
Oratory of the Fraternity of St. Joseph
71 m
Niche of the Madonna of Mount Carmel
163 m
Couvre Porte Gate
298 m
Birgu Main Gate
249 m
National Museum of Ethnography
96 m
Enceinte along Kalkara side - Birgu
125 m
Niche of St. Lawrence
43 m
Main Ditch - Birgu
223 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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