Another shot from my Notte Bianca album captured from Upper Barrakka in Valletta. This is the second most important fort in Grand Harbour. It was built by the Knights of Malta between 1551 and 1565 on the peninsula then known as Isla St Michael formed by Dockyard Creek and French Creek. Fort St Angelo in my picture of yesterday is situated to the left across Dockyard Creek.
Fort St Michael withstood the 1565 siege of the Turkish invaders. Though massively damaged it was the scene of some of the most desperate fighting of the siege. It withstood 10 assaults from the Ottoman Turkish attackers. For this reason the city adjoining the fort was renamed Citta’ Invicta by the Knights of the Order, meaning ‘The unconquered city’.
The fort was rebuilt after the Great siege but most of it was dismantled to make way for extensions to the dockyard area at the end of the 19th century. The remainder was badly damaged by aerial bombing during the second world war.
The impressive seaward bastions of the fort remain, an impressive memorial to its glorious past.
Visitors say that the Grand Harbour is one of the most beautiful and spectacular ports around the world.
Thank you all very much for looking and for your wonderful comments on yesterday’s picture.
