The Malta Independent 8 June 2025, Sunday
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‘Exploring Historic Senglea’ Heritage Tour

Malta Independent Sunday, 19 August 2012, 00:00 Last update: about 12 years ago

Heritage Malta is organising a heritage trail in the fortified city of Senglea.

The ‘Exploring Historic Senglea’ Heritage Tour will start from in front of the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu. From there, participants will cross the harbour on board traditional Maltese boats towards Senglea. Once on shore, participants will be guided through the narrow streets of Senglea. The tour will include visits to historical monuments and buildings built during and after the Knights of St John era. The tour will end with a boat ride back across the harbour to the Malta Maritime Museum where refreshments will be served. An informative display on model making and literature will also be on display within the museum.

Overlooking Grand Harbour and Valletta, Senglea is practically surrounded by the Grand Harbour. The name of the city, Senglea, derives from the Grand Master who developed it into a fortified town, Claude De La Sengle took office in 1553 and commissioned a military engineer, Nicola Bellavanti, to develop and fortify the peninsula. Due to its resistance to the Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of 1565, Senglea has been titled as ‘Civitas Invicta’.

During World War II, enemy airplanes heavily bombarded the city. Historical buildings, many lives and possessions were lost. The imposing basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Victories was destroyed during brutal air strikes such as those on HMS Illustrious, berthed in French Creek, on 16 January 1941.

‘Exploring Historic Senglea’ Heritage Tour will be held on Friday 31 August. Those attending this event are asked to gather near the Malta Maritime Museum in Birgu at 6.30pm. Tickets for this event are priced at €12 for adults and €10 for Heritage Malta members, senior citizens, and children (under 12). Tickets can be bought from all of Heritage Malta’s sites and museums prior to the event. For further information, please call Heritage Malta on 2395 4242.

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