Fort St. Elmo

We’re now heading to the northern tip of Valletta, where you’ll find Fort St. Elmo, a site deeply woven into the city’s history.

Back in 1552, the Knights of the Order of St John sensed an Ottoman invasion on the horizon. To strengthen their defenses, they built a fort at the entrance to Valletta’s two harbours, to guard against attack. Designed in the classic Maltese star shape with four points, Fort St. Elmo was completed in just four years.

We can’t say for sure if the Knights had a sixth sense, but the threat became real just a few years later. In May 1565, the Ottoman attack arrived, triggering one of the most dramatic chapters in Maltese history: the Great Siege of Malta.

The invading Ottoman troops were met with fierce Maltese resistance from right here. The fighting was brutal, spanning thirty days of constant battle. 1,500 Knights of the Order and locals lost their lives in the battle, along with 4,000 Ottoman soldiers. The Maltese received financial support for their bravery and sacrifice from several European nations, which helped rebuild and expand the fort after the siege.

Centuries later, the air raids of World War II partially destroyed the structure again. Today, the days of watchful defense are over, and the upper part of Fort St. Elmo now houses Malta’s Police Academy and the National War Museum.