Fortifications of Birgu

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During the course of restoration work, a bastion that had been built just before the siege of 1565 as well as an 18th-century caponier were discovered. A 20th-century naval oil depot near the Post of Castile was demolished in 2010 to reveal the view of the bastions, and a breach in St. John Bastion

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were built around Birgu's and Senglea's land fronts. These new lines increased the strength of the defensive position, but also reduced the importance of Birgu's land front. Birgu's fortifications were extensively rebuilt in the 18th century, under the direction of the architect

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Birgu's ditch was opened to the public as a recreational area in January 2016. The recreational area includes the 18th-century caponier, which was restored and partially reconstructed, as well as the battery at the left extremity of the ditch.

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St. James Bastion – a two-tiered pentagonal bastion built prior to 1565 and redesigned by de Mondion in the 18th century. Part of the original 16th century bastion was rediscovered during restoration works.

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St. John Bastion – a large asymmetrical bastion containing two of the three main gates of Birgu, designed by de Mondion in the 18th century. A modern road passes through an arch in the bastion.

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built in or before the 13th century, modernized between the 16th and 17th centuries by the Order of Saint John. The present layout dates back to a major reconstruction by Flemish architect

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built on St. John Bastion. It was originally built prior to 1565, but was modified in the 18th century. Minor alterations were also made by the British in the 19th century.

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An irregular enceinte, beginning from the moat of Fort St. Angelo and ending at the Post of Castile. Its northern end was occupied by a battery, now partially dismantled.

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but turned back once they saw the new defences. They attacked again with a much larger force fourteen years later in 1565. The siege, which became known as the

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The first plans to restore the fortifications of Birgu were made in 2006, as part of a project that would also involve restoration of the fortifications of

343:. It is popularly attributed to have been built by the Arabs in around 870, but the earliest references to the castle date back to around the 13th century. 925: 846:"Protection of Antiquities Regulations 21st November, 1932 Government Notice 402 of 1932, as Amended by Government Notices 127 of 1935 and 338 of 1939" 361:

The Order eventually moved to Malta in 1530 and established itself in Birgu. The first modifications were made to the Castrum Maris, which became

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A curtain wall linking St. John Bastion to Dockyard Creek. Originally there was a small bastion but this was destroyed in the explosion of 1806.

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Birgu had four city gates, three of which still survive. They were designed by Charles François de Mondion in the 18th century, and are in the

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and was used as the Grand Master's residence. Later on, the entire town began to be surrounded by walls, in a similar style to the Order's

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and another battery. A covertway and glacis were also located close to the land front, but were mostly cleared away in the 19th century.

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The present layout of Birgu's fortifications is mainly a result of the 18th century rebuilding by the French architect

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Couvre Porte Gate – the first of the three main gates, located within the west side of Couvre Porte Counterguard.

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in the Middle Ages, and the majority of the fortifications were built between the 16th and 18th centuries by the

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Gate of Provence – the third and last of the three main gates, located on the inner flank of St. John Bastion.

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Porta Marina – a gate located on the western extremity of Birgu. It was destroyed in the explosion of 1806.

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Advanced Gate – the second of the three main gates, located on the right face of St. John Bastion.

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sent a commission of 8 knights to inspect the island of Malta, which had been offered to them by

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The entire land front is surrounded by a rock-hewn ditch, which also includes a

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The fortifications of Birgu were included on the Antiquities List of 1925.

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French Curtain – a curtain wall linking St. James and St. John Bastions.

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built to protect St. John Bastion. It was built during the reign of

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