Due to its safe anchorage for their galleys, and not to arouse hostilities with the Maltese nobility settled within the walls of the medieval city of Mdina, the Knights of St John chose Birgu to set up their seat of government. This long peninsula was the home of the Knights' first auberges and palazzi.
After the Great Siege of 1565, Grand Master La Vallette renamed it Vittoriosa (the Victorious). Vittoriosa is the most interesting of the so-called 'three cities' - the other two being Senglea and Cospicua. These 3 cities are witnesses of a long and bloody history, especially during the Great Siege and the German bombings of World War II.
The majestic baroque Church of St Lawrence has a fine setting overlooking Dockyard Creek and on the inside is adorned with paintings of Mattia Preti. Built in the 16th century, this was the Knights' Conventual Church until St John's Co-Cathedral was built in Valletta. Where today is the Maritime Museum, was once the naval bakery, built over the site of the old slipway where the Knights used to repair their galleys and then remained a naval establishment until the British left Malta in 1979. In 1992 the bakery was converted into a maritime museum of Malta's remarkable seafaring heritage.
Reference Code: THRCITIH
Duration: 4 hours
Itinerary: Pick-up from hotel, transfer to Vittoriosa, St Lawrence Church, Maritime Museum, Inquisitor's Palace, view of the Grand Harbour from Senglea.
Includes: Transport, bi-lingual local guide, assistance from our representative, entrance tickets.
Applicable: Individuals (Sundays), and Groups
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