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Situated on the middle rocky promontory sticking out into
the Grand Harbour,
Fort St Angelo was the only significant fortification in Malta in
existence before the arrival of the Knights of St John in 1530. Seen from
the outside Fort St Angelo resembles more a medieval castle, mainly due to
the fact that it had to compensate for the height on the peninsula
opposite.
Fort St Angelo was the residence for the first Grandmaster in Malta and
as soon as settled in, plans were drawn up for improvements and repairs.
One of the most interesting parts of the fort's interior is the charming
little chapel of St Anne, reputed to be sited on the remains of a
Phoenician temple.
During the Great Siege 1565, one of the biggest tests to the endurance and
courage of this small island, Fort St Angelo played a priceless role
amongst a cast of heroes, leaders and martyrs. It was used as headquarters
for the knights, as a citadel for the defences of Birgu (later renamed
Vittoriosa) and Isla (later Senglea) and as life saver of Fort St Elmo by
resupplying and keeping it in combat.
In the 19th century, Fort St Angelo became useful again during the British
occupation of the islands to cover the harbour entrance and attack ships
which might have broken through the boom.
However, after its service to the country, Fort St Angelo was put into
retirement in 1888 when General Nicholson and Goodenough pronounced their
final military judgement about this fort : 'It is scarcely possible to
imagine works so unsuitable for the purpose of coast defence under modern
conditions, and offering such advantages to the attack of ships of St Elmo
and St Angelo.'
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