Over the centuries the island nation in the heart of the Mediterranean has become a bastion for many nations to use the island as a strategic military position. The first fortifications were built in 1450 BC – walls to protect villages. Over the centuries the Maltese built walled cities, forts, citadels, towers, defensive installations and even the Victoria lines that run across the islands. In this article I would like to point out some of the most beautiful and impressive fortified places in Malta.
Valletta and the Three Cities
When visiting Malta you will no doubt notice the fortifications around Valletta and the Three Cities. These have been built by the Knights of St. John between the 16th and 18th century. A lot of time and money has been invested to restore the fortifications and towers to their former glory, and Fort St. Elmo, at the tip of Valletta, was the last one to be completed. Just walking along the walls is an overwhelming feeling, and taking a walk along the walls something you should not miss out on. Across from Valletta is Sliema, and the view from there, across the harbour towards Valletta, is just amazing, especially at night when the walls and churches of Valletta are lit up.
Mdina
Probably the most impressive fortified city is Mdina that is located in the western part of Malta. When walking down the roads of this old city you will feel like you have been taken back in time. At the very top you will get impressive views over the island. When visiting Mdina, make sure to check out the Fontanella Café. There you can enjoy tasty cakes with a stunning view over Malta.
Fort Rinella
The British built the fort in the late 19th century. The massive gun is probably one of the most impressive attractions at the fort. It is one of the world’s largest and can fire a 1-ton shell at a distance of around 3 miles. There are regular shows where volunteers dress up in contemporary costumes and offer tours around the fort.
These are just a few examples of fortifications in Malta, there are plenty more that are worth discovering, in Gozo as well. When you are living and working in Malta or you are visiting the islands you can see these defence installations almost everywhere. Towers along the coast, some of them are used as restaurants today, especially along the coast in Sliema. These installations are just a small example of the rich history of Malta, and it is always a hard decision which ones to visit first.
