Three Cities
The Three Cities are composed of the three adjacent cities in the south of Malta: Vittoriosa (Maltese - Birgu), Cospicua (Maltese - Bormla) and Senglea (Maltese - Isla).
VittoriosaVittoriosa was originally a Phoenician/Carthaginian settlement as well as a Greek, Roman and Byzantines trading post and is probably older than Mdina. It served throughout Malta's history as its main port town. In view of its strategic location in the harbour, it played an important role in the Great Siege of 1565 and World War II.
When the Knights arrived in 1530, they made Vittoriosa the capital city of Malta, as Mdina was inland and did not suit their naval requirements. They immediately undertook a series of works designed to improve the fortification at Fort St Angelo and of the whole area of the three cities. These works gave the city distinctive architectural character that can be seen today.
After the taking of Malta from the French, the British Navy made Birgu its base in the Mediterranean, and remained there until 1979.
After rebuilding Vittoriosa, during the early settlement days, the Knights moved the entire Maltese population into the fortified towns, giving birth to Senglea and Cospicua.
When the Knights arrived in 1530, they made Vittoriosa the capital city of Malta, as Mdina was inland and did not suit their naval requirements. They immediately undertook a series of works designed to improve the fortification at Fort St Angelo and of the whole area of the three cities. These works gave the city distinctive architectural character that can be seen today.
After the taking of Malta from the French, the British Navy made Birgu its base in the Mediterranean, and remained there until 1979.
After rebuilding Vittoriosa, during the early settlement days, the Knights moved the entire Maltese population into the fortified towns, giving birth to Senglea and Cospicua.
CospicuaCospicua is a double-fortified harbour city and the largest of the Three Cities. The city was inhabited since Neolithic times and was the last from its neighbouring cities to be fortified. Its bastions built by the Knights of Malta, are a sight to behold for sheer size and magnitude.
During the reign of the British Empire, the navy made extensive use of the dockyard, particularly during the Crimean, First World War and during the years preceding the Second World War.
During the reign of the British Empire, the navy made extensive use of the dockyard, particularly during the Crimean, First World War and during the years preceding the Second World War.
SengleaSenglea is the smallest of the Three Cities and is less than a mile long and situated between Galley Port (or Dockyard Creek) on the Cospicua side and the French Creek.
Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great Siege of 1565. However, the proper name is Senglea since the grandmaster who built it Claude De La Sengle, gave this city a part of his name.
The island was in fact joined by a land bridge to Cospicua during the time of the Knights of St. John and as a result, it became peninsular in shape.
Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great Siege of 1565. However, the proper name is Senglea since the grandmaster who built it Claude De La Sengle, gave this city a part of his name.
The island was in fact joined by a land bridge to Cospicua during the time of the Knights of St. John and as a result, it became peninsular in shape.