The Point - a side view - is a shopping mall situated on Tigne’ Point in Sliema. The place is also known as Dragut Point.
Tigne’ Point is because of a fort erected to guard the entrance of Marsamxett Harbour and the west side of Valletta. It was originally built in 1792 and named after a prominent French military engineer who served the Hospitaller Order of Malta, namely the Balì François René Jacob de Tigné. It was one of the last fortifications built by the knights before they were forced out by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The name Dragut Point goes back even before that time - during the Great Siege of 1565. The notorious Dragut whose name was actually Turgut Reis was an Ottoman Greek Admiral and privateer who also served as Bey of Algiers; Beylerbey of the Mediterranean; and first Bey, later Pasha, of Tripoli. Under his naval command the Ottoman Empire's maritime power was extended across North Africa. He was commander of the forces sent by Suleiman The Magnificent to capture Malta but found his death at this point when while bombarding the fort, a cannon shot from Fort St. Elmo across the harbour struck the ground close to the Turkish battery. Debris from the impact mortally injured Dragut who died later on 23 June 1565.
Thank you very much for looking and for your wonderful comments on yesterday's picture.
Great capture at Christmastime with all the lights!!! Love the arches!!! Loved your comment on my decorations, Dione, but I can't believe you dress up like Santa and then trick your grandchildren!!! I'll bet they love it, though!!! hehehe
