Birgu
Encyclopedia
Birgu is an ancient city in Malta
. It played a vital role in the Siege of Malta
in 1565. Its population stood at 2,633 in December 2008.
in Malta, with its origins reaching back to medieval times. The city occupies a promontory of land with Fort St Angelo
at its head and the city of Cospicua
at its base. Birgu is ideally situated for safe anchorage, and over time it has developed a very long history with maritime, mercantile and military activities. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as capital and main city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands would need to obtain control of Birgu due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour.
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, the Angevines, the Aragonese and the Order of the Knights of St. John all contributed to the development of Malta. Being driven out of Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire
, the Knights were granted Malta as their new home. When the Knights arrived in 1530, they made Birgu the capital city of Malta, since the former capital, Mdina
, was inland and did not suit their naval requirements.
The city was fortified in 1551 and strengthened in 1554 in preparation for an attack by the Ottoman Empire. This included the construction of the Castle of St Angelo, a large fortification separated from the city by a narrow channel. The castle was connected to the city by means of a drawbridge.
Birgu was the site of a major battle between the Knights and the Ottoman Empire during the Siege of Malta
in 1565. After four months of successful defence by the Knights, the city was almost captured by the Ottoman army in August 1565, but was recaptured by the Knights under Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette
. Further forces arrived a month later, and the siege was abandoned by the Ottomans. After this, a new capital city was built on Mount Sceberras, bearing the name Valletta
. In 1571, the Knights transferred their convent and seat to the new capital and Birgu lost much of its importance. After the Siege, Birgu was given the title Città Vittoriosa, Italian for "victorious city".
In recent years, due to an agreement made by the Maltese Government with Sovereign Military Order of Malta, this Catholic Order of Knighthood has returned to the Island. This agreement, which has a duration of 99 years, grants the Knights of Malta the exclusive use of Fort St Angelo in Birgu.
After the taking of Malta by Napoleon in 1798, and his eviction by the Maltese, the British were invited to Malta and the British Navy made Birgu its base in the Mediterranean, and remained there until 1979.
The parish church is dedicated to St. Lawrence. The saint's day is celebrated on August 10. The feast starts on 31 July and continues till 10 August. St Lawrence feast is very popular for the decorations in the local streets. Also in Birgu is the Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation run by the Dominican Order
. This church is also known as St. Dominic's Church. The feast of Saint Dominic
is held every last Sunday of August.
, while the latter is home to the Malta Maritime Museum
. A second museum, the Vittoriosa 1565 Museum, is also located in the town and is dedicated to the siege and the battle in the town in 1565.
St. Lawrence's Church
, one of several churches in the parish, was once the Conventual Church of the Order of St John. Other churches in Birgu include the Monastery Of St. Scholastica and the Our Lady of Annunciation Church, also known as St. Dominic's Church. The Freedom Monument comemmorates the departure of British forces from the island in 1979. Birgu also contains the Auberges of the Knights, including the Auberge d'Angleterre, for some time the home of the Knights of St John on the island, which now contains a public library.
At the centre of the Grand Harbour, the 16th-century fortification tower Fort St Angelo still stands. The central piazza in Birgu was badly damaged by bombing during World War II
, but one 19th-century palace thought to have been designed by Giuseppe Bonavia survives, and is used as the headquarters of the St Lawrence Band Club.
of the Maltese islands took place, Birgu had a population of 6,093 people. After falling slightly over the following 20 years, this figure had increased to 6,673 in 1931. However, in 1948 the population stood at just 3,816, although it had increased slightly by 1957. The city's population has fallen in every subsequent census, and in 2005 was recorded as 2,701.
(1638–1703), who worked on a number of churches in Malta including St. Paul's Cathedral
in Mdina
, was born in Birgu. He also designed many of the historic buildings in the Vittoriosa Waterfront area, some of which have recently been restored.
Paul Boffa
(1890-1962), the Prime Minister of Malta
between 1947 and 1950 and the country's first Labour Party Prime Minister, was also born in the city.
novel 'The Disorderly Knights', the third volume of her Lymond Chronicles
series, covers the events in Birgu in 1551 around the events of the Dragut Raid.
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. It played a vital role in the Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta may refer to:* The Siege of Malta , in which the Ottoman Empire failed to dislodge the Knights Hospitaller** Siege of Malta, 1570 work of the Cretan writer Antonios Achelis, about the above...
in 1565. Its population stood at 2,633 in December 2008.
History
Birgu is a very old locality on the south side of the Grand HarbourGrand Harbour
Grand Harbour is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been used as a harbour since at least Phoenician times...
in Malta, with its origins reaching back to medieval times. The city occupies a promontory of land with Fort St Angelo
Fort St Angelo
Fort St Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour.-History:Medieval TimesThe date of its original construction is unknown. However, there are claims of prehistoric or classical buildings near the site, due to some large ashlar blocks and an Egyptian pink...
at its head and the city of Cospicua
Cospicua
Ċittà Cottonera, Ċittà Cospicua, Cospicua is a double-fortified harbour city on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is the largest of the Three Cities. It was also given a title as Citta' Cottonera, but erroneously the title is now used to define the whole region...
at its base. Birgu is ideally situated for safe anchorage, and over time it has developed a very long history with maritime, mercantile and military activities. Prior to the establishment of Valletta as capital and main city of Malta, military powers that wanted to rule the Maltese islands would need to obtain control of Birgu due to its significant position in the Grand Harbour.
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, the Angevines, the Aragonese and the Order of the Knights of St. John all contributed to the development of Malta. Being driven out of Rhodes by the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
, the Knights were granted Malta as their new home. When the Knights arrived in 1530, they made Birgu the capital city of Malta, since the former capital, Mdina
Mdina
Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly...
, was inland and did not suit their naval requirements.
The city was fortified in 1551 and strengthened in 1554 in preparation for an attack by the Ottoman Empire. This included the construction of the Castle of St Angelo, a large fortification separated from the city by a narrow channel. The castle was connected to the city by means of a drawbridge.
Birgu was the site of a major battle between the Knights and the Ottoman Empire during the Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta
Siege of Malta may refer to:* The Siege of Malta , in which the Ottoman Empire failed to dislodge the Knights Hospitaller** Siege of Malta, 1570 work of the Cretan writer Antonios Achelis, about the above...
in 1565. After four months of successful defence by the Knights, the city was almost captured by the Ottoman army in August 1565, but was recaptured by the Knights under Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette
Jean Parisot de la Valette
Fra' Jean Parisot de Valette was a French nobleman and 49th Grand Master of the Order of Malta, from 1557 to 1568. He succeeded La Vallette as grandmaster and continued the construction of Valletta...
. Further forces arrived a month later, and the siege was abandoned by the Ottomans. After this, a new capital city was built on Mount Sceberras, bearing the name Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
. In 1571, the Knights transferred their convent and seat to the new capital and Birgu lost much of its importance. After the Siege, Birgu was given the title Città Vittoriosa, Italian for "victorious city".
In recent years, due to an agreement made by the Maltese Government with Sovereign Military Order of Malta, this Catholic Order of Knighthood has returned to the Island. This agreement, which has a duration of 99 years, grants the Knights of Malta the exclusive use of Fort St Angelo in Birgu.
After the taking of Malta by Napoleon in 1798, and his eviction by the Maltese, the British were invited to Malta and the British Navy made Birgu its base in the Mediterranean, and remained there until 1979.
The parish church is dedicated to St. Lawrence. The saint's day is celebrated on August 10. The feast starts on 31 July and continues till 10 August. St Lawrence feast is very popular for the decorations in the local streets. Also in Birgu is the Church dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation run by the Dominican Order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
. This church is also known as St. Dominic's Church. The feast of Saint Dominic
Saint Dominic
Saint Dominic , also known as Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo Félix de Guzmán was the founder of the Friars Preachers, popularly called the Dominicans or Order of Preachers , a Catholic religious order...
is held every last Sunday of August.
Attractions
Birgu is the location of several tourist attractions. The historic Vittoriosa Waterfront contains the former Palace of the General of the Galleys and the Order of St John's treasury. The area was refurbished in the early 2000s, and both buildings are used for other activities: the former is now a casinoCasino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
, while the latter is home to the Malta Maritime Museum
Malta Maritime Museum
The Malta Maritime Museum is housed within the Old Naval bakery in Vittoriosa, it drafts Malta’s maritime history which is tightly bound to Mediterranean Sea...
. A second museum, the Vittoriosa 1565 Museum, is also located in the town and is dedicated to the siege and the battle in the town in 1565.
St. Lawrence's Church
St. Lawrence's Church, Vittoriosa
St. Lawrence's Church is an old Church situated in Birgu in Malta.In the 'Rollo' of the benefices of the churches and chapels in Malta and Gozo, held by Bishop de Mello in 1436, ten established chapels are mentioned, amongst which the Church of San Lorenzo a Mare.When the Order of Saint John...
, one of several churches in the parish, was once the Conventual Church of the Order of St John. Other churches in Birgu include the Monastery Of St. Scholastica and the Our Lady of Annunciation Church, also known as St. Dominic's Church. The Freedom Monument comemmorates the departure of British forces from the island in 1979. Birgu also contains the Auberges of the Knights, including the Auberge d'Angleterre, for some time the home of the Knights of St John on the island, which now contains a public library.
At the centre of the Grand Harbour, the 16th-century fortification tower Fort St Angelo still stands. The central piazza in Birgu was badly damaged by bombing during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but one 19th-century palace thought to have been designed by Giuseppe Bonavia survives, and is used as the headquarters of the St Lawrence Band Club.
Population
In 1901, when the first recorded censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of the Maltese islands took place, Birgu had a population of 6,093 people. After falling slightly over the following 20 years, this figure had increased to 6,673 in 1931. However, in 1948 the population stood at just 3,816, although it had increased slightly by 1957. The city's population has fallen in every subsequent census, and in 2005 was recorded as 2,701.
Notable people
Architect Lorenzo GafaLorenzo Gafà
Lorenzo Gafà was a Maltese baroque architect.Born in Vittoriosa , Gafà began his working life as a stone carver and his brother was the renowned sculptor Melchiorre. By the early 1660s he had developed a strong interest in architectural design and in 1661 is known to have been involved in the...
(1638–1703), who worked on a number of churches in Malta including St. Paul's Cathedral
St. Paul's Cathedral, Mdina
St. Paul's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Mdina, in Malta. It is built on the site where governor Publius was reported to have met Saint Paul following his shipwreck off the Maltese coast.-History:...
in Mdina
Mdina
Mdina, Città Vecchia, or Città Notabile, is the old capital of Malta. Mdina is a medieval walled town situated on a hill in the centre of the island. Punic remains uncovered beyond the city’s walls suggest the importance of the general region to Malta’s Phoenician settlers. Mdina is commonly...
, was born in Birgu. He also designed many of the historic buildings in the Vittoriosa Waterfront area, some of which have recently been restored.
Paul Boffa
Paul Boffa
Sir Paul Boffa, OBE was a Maltese prime minister who took office after self-rule was reinstated by the British colonial authority following the end of World War II.-Life:...
(1890-1962), the Prime Minister of Malta
Prime Minister of Malta
The Prime Minister of Malta is the Head of Government of Malta.-Establishment of the office and developments:The office of "Head of Ministry" was created as soon as Malta was granted autonomous government in 1921. The 1921 constitution was suspended twice before being revoked...
between 1947 and 1950 and the country's first Labour Party Prime Minister, was also born in the city.
Birgu in fiction
Dorothy Dunnett'sDorothy Dunnett
Dorothy Dunnett OBE was a Scottish historical novelist. She is best known for her six-part series about Francis Crawford of Lymond, The Lymond Chronicles, which she followed with the eight-part prequel The House of Niccolò...
novel 'The Disorderly Knights', the third volume of her Lymond Chronicles
Lymond Chronicles
The Lymond Chronicles is a series of six novels, written by Dorothy Dunnett, which were first published between 1961 and 1975. The series is set in mid-sixteenth century Europe and the Mediterranean and tells the story of a young Scottish nobleman, Francis Crawford of Lymond, from 1547 through...
series, covers the events in Birgu in 1551 around the events of the Dragut Raid.
Zones in Birgu
- Bighi Sally Port
- Couvre de Porte
- It-Toqba tal-Birgu
- Post is-Sagra Infirmerija
- Xatt Tal-Birgu
- Xatt il-Forn
- Xatt ir-Risq
- Xatt iż-Żejt
- Xatt Sant' Anġlu
- Il-berga ta' Franza