A lecture by Stephen Spiteri, St Elmo, a Fort under Siege, will bring to an end this season’s cycle of cultural presentations organised by Din l-Art Helwa. The talk, which will be fully illustrated, will examine the siege of Fort St Elmo in 1565, focusing on the nature of the fort, its location, plan, shape and form. Mr Spiteri will also study the defensive features of the fort, its inherent limitations, its garrison, the defensive strategy adopted by the Knights of the Order of St John and Turkish siege tactics.

Stephen C. Spiteri B.A. (Hons), Dipl. (Int. Des.) RI, is well known for his meticulous research and passion for military history. Educated at St Aloysius College, B’kara and later at the University of Malta, he has recently finished reading for his Ph.D. degree in the art of fortress-building. His interest in the military aspects of Maltese history has led to a number of books and papers on the fortifications of Malta and on the military organisation of the Knights of St John. Foremost amongst these are Fortresses of the Cross (1994), British Military Architecture (1996) Armoury of the Knights (2003), and The Great Siege: Knights vs Turks, mdlxv (2005).

Mr Spiteri works in heritage conservation. He served for a while as acting curator of the Armoury in the Palace of the Grand Masters, Valletta. He is currently Superintendent of Fortifications in the Restoration Unit, Works Division, Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure.

The talk will be held on Thursday at 133 Melita Street, Valletta, and will commence at 6pm. Those intending to participate are invited to be seated by 5.45 p.m.