Fort Saint Angelo

Fort Saint Angelo – Guardian of the Grand Harbour

Standing at the heart of Birgu, Malta, Fort Saint Angelo’s origins date back to medieval times when it was known as Castrum Maris (Castle by the Sea). Rebuilt by the Order of Saint John between 1530 and 1560, it became their headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. A major reconstruction in the 1690s gave the fort much of its present form.

From 1800 to 1979, the British Royal Navy occupied the fort, classifying it as a stone frigate under the names HMS Egmont and later HMS St Angelo. Today, after extensive restoration completed in 2015, its limestone walls, bastions, and commanding harbour views offer striking photographic opportunities, blending centuries of military heritage with architectural grandeur.