Took this picture from across the inlet through a sally port at Senglea. St Angelo is the most famous of Maltese fortifications. The beginning of this fortress is unknown but it could date back to prehistoric times. The first Castrum Maris (Castle by the Sea) on the site is documented in 1240AD. When the Order of the Knights of St John arrived in Malta in 1530, being a maritime order, it set up it headquarters in this fortress and at the Borgo (suburb). The Borgo is next to and defended by this fortress and is still known among Maltese as Birgu. From this fortress Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette led the defense of the Island against the far outnumbering Turkish troops who tried unsuccessfully to take Malta in 1565. For it’s victory over the Turks the city was given a new name of ‘Citta Vittoriosa’. During the British rule St Angelo was made the headquarters of the British Fleet in the Mediterranean. The Fort is in dire need of restoration. For some years, the upper storey (where the chapel is) has been leased back to the Order of St John (now back to its roots of charitable and hospitaller institution)
