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Birgu (also called Vittoriosa) is one of Malta’s oldest fortified cities, rich in maritime and military history, and famous for its role in the Great Siege of 1565.
Location: Southeastern Malta, on the south side of the Grand Harbour.
Names: Birgu, Il-Birgu (Maltese), Vittoriosa (Italian, meaning Victorious City).
Size & Population: About 0.5 km² with roughly 2,500–3,000 residents today.
Historic Role: Served as Malta’s de facto capital from 1530–1571, before Valletta was built.
Knights of St. John: Birgu was their headquarters when they arrived in Malta in 1530.
Fort St. Angelo: A strategic fortress at the tip of Birgu, crucial in defending the Grand Harbour.
Great Siege of 1565: Birgu held out against Ottoman forces, earning the title Città Vittoriosa.
By Ferry: From Valletta’s Quarry Wharf, ferries run every 30 minutes, offering scenic harbour views
