Continuing from yesterday. My mood for photography was ruined with the rain and strong winds but I couldn’t return home without taking some pictures on the way back. I stopped at Kalkara to take this picture and others of part of the fortifications that surround Birgu, or as it was later renamed by the Knights of St John Vittoriosa (Citta Vittoriosa – Victorious City).
When the Order came to Malta in 1535 they wanted to have their quarters close to the sea and harbour because most of their activity was maritime. So instead of settling in the old capital city Mdina, they set up house in Birgu which they fortified further because of the imminent attack expected from Ottoman forces. The attack came in 1565 when a force, many times bigger than that available to the Order (and the Maltese) attacked the island with full force and the defenders managed each time to repel the attacks. In the end after about six months of trying in vain to take Malta the Ottomans left in despair, leaving thousands of dead bodies behind them. For the bravery of the defenders, the city was renamed Citta’ Vittoriosa.
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Ian
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