Three Cities

Birgu (=Vittoriosa), Cospicua and Senglea pictures taken on our Christmas Holiday at Malta in 2006.
Senglea panorama The Basilica of Our Lady of Victories is in the centre of this panorama and Saint Anne Gate as well as Fort Saint Michael are to the left of the Basilica. Fort Saint Michael, later known as Saint Michael Cavalier, was the landward fortification of the city of Senglea in Malta. It was built in the 1550s by the Order of Saint John and extensively rebuilt until 1581. The fort, along with some of Senglea's other fortifications, was partially destroyed. : 2006, Christmas, Holiday, Joulu, Malta, Senglea, loma Niche of St. Dominic Situated at the entrance of Vittoriosa Main Gate, this was sculpted by Anton Busuttil in 1877. He must have been influenced by the titular statue of St. Dominic in Valletta as there are many similarities between the two works. On the 29th July 1948, Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi granted indulgences to those who pray in front of this holy image. It was restored in 2010. Architect Claude Busuttil was appointed to do the restoration works. Storm approaching Another panorama of the Three Cities area. This time there's going to be a storm. Our Lady of Victories Parish Church The Basilica of Our Lady of Victories is the parish church of Senglea, Malta. It is dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and was most probably built by architect Vittorio Cassar in 1580 as a monument to the Christian Victory after the Great Siege of 1565. After the crowning of the statue of the Virgin Mary on 4 September 1921, the church became a sanctuary of the Virgin Mary. The church was destroyed by bombs in 1941, but was rebuilt and consecrated by Monsignor Gonzi on 24 August 1956.
Palace of the General of the Galleys The General of the Galleys lived in the core of Birgu until 1664 when a new residence, designed by Lorenzo Gafá, was purposely built for him on the wharf. This was a rectangular two-storey building that towered above the adjacent houses. In 1832 the Palace was allocated to the Admiral of the Fleet, but in spite of its being refurbished by Admiralty architect Willian Scamp, the Admiral complained of the dampness and remained in Valletta. Instead the Palace became the official residence of the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard. Strange ruts Strange ruts on the waterline. Maybe these could somehow been used to fasten something? Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979 Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979
Gate of Aragon The Advanced Gate is the first of three gates. It was built on 1722 ,it is also known as the Gate of Aragon. It is decorated with extraordinary engravings. The Couvre Porte, was the second gate to be built between 1716 and 1730. The Gate of Provence, also known as the Main Gate, has the essentialism of military fortification and was one of the latest to be built. A marble tablet celebrates the construction of the fortifications and remind the visitor of the title \"vittoriosa (victorious) the city was awarded with for resisting the siege of Soliman the Magnificent. Couvre Porte The Advanced Gate is the first of three gates. It was built on 1722 ,it is also known as the Gate of Aragon. It is decorated with extraordinary engravings. The Couvre Porte, was the second gate to be built between 1716 and 1730. The Gate of Provence, also known as the Main Gate, has the essentialism of military fortification and was one of the latest to be built. A marble tablet celebrates the construction of the fortifications and remind the visitor of the title \"vittoriosa (victorious) the city was awarded with for resisting the siege of Soliman the Magnificent. Gate of Provence The Couvre Porte was a complex system of gateways through which one could gain access into Vittoriosa. The Advanced Gate is the first of three gates. It was built on 1722 ,it is also known as the Gate of Aragon. It is decorated with extraordinary engravings. The Couvre Porte, was the second gate to be built between 1716 and 1730. The Gate of Provence, also known as the Main Gate, has the essentialism of military fortification and was one of the latest to be built. A marble tablet celebrates the construction of the fortifications and remind the visitor of the title \"vittoriosa (victorious) the city was awarded with for resisting the siege of Soliman the Magnificent. Cannon This fort was essential in defence against the Turks and it withstood the attack, helped by this kind of cannons.
Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979 Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979, and in 1998 part of it was handed back to the SMOM. Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979, and in 1998 part of it was handed back to the SMOM. Guard A dog standing very attentively on the roof at the Fort St Angelo.
Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979, and in 1998 part of it was handed back to the SMOM. Fort Saint Angelo Fort Saint Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour. It is not known exactly when it was first built, but it definitely existed by the 13th century. It was originally known as the Castrum Maris until it was rebuilt by the Order of Saint John as Fort Saint Angelo in the 16th century. The fort was then used by the British as a stone frigate, and was known as HMS Egmont or later HMS St Angelo. It was last used for military purposes in 1979 Looking at me? Cat with an attitude Napping cat A cat taking a nap
Villa Bighi In 1650, together with the chapel of Our Saviour, Fra Giovanni Bighi erected near the same site a large villa overlooking the entrance of the Grand Harbour. During the plague of 1813 this villa was used as a temporary hospital. However, through a decree by King George IV, on 23 March 1830, Vice-Admiral Sir P. Malcolm laid down the foundation stone of a Naval Hospital on the site where Villa Bighi was situated after it was pulled down. Bighi Naval Hospital took two years to be completed and figured £20,000 of capital expenditure. During the British reign it was used extensively, and nowadays it is serving as an International School of Restoration. An establishment nearby Villa Bighi is being used by Circolo San Giuseppe Filarmonika Sagra Familja as Dar l-Armar il-Ġilju ta' Lulju. Santa Scholastica's Monastery From 1530 the Hospital / Infirmary (Sacra Infermeria) of the Order of St John was on a site which later became a convent (nunnery) attached to the Church of Santa Scholastica Church of St. Lawrence In the 'Rollo' (inventory) of the benefices of the churches and chapels in Malta and Gozo, held by Bishop de Mello in 1436, ten established chapels are mentioned, amongst which the Church of San Lorenzo a Mare. The foundation stone of the present church was laid in May 1681 by Bishop Molina. It was completed in 1696. The church was inaugurated by Bishop Davide Cocco Palmieri on the feats of St Lawrence, August 10, 1697. It was consecrated in 1723. In 1820 Pope Pius VII bestowed the dignity of Collegiate church upon the parish church of St Lawrence. Maritime museum Housed within the Old Naval bakery, the Malta Maritime Museum charts Malta’s maritime history and lore within a Mediterranean context. It also illustrates the global nature of seafaring and its impact on Malta’s society. The museum houses numerous artefacts highlighting the different epochs of Malta’s history that is inadvertently tied to the sea. The building, designed by British architect William Scamp, was erected between 1842 and 1845 on the site of the old covered slipway of the Knights of St John. The bakery was the hub of the Victualling Yard and supplied the Royal Navy with its daily requirements of bread and biscuit. After World War II it was converted into offices and stores and as the headquarters of the Admiralty Constabulary. The building remained part of the naval establishment up to the closure of the British base in 1979.
Our Lady of Sorrows The confraternity of the Crucifix built their oratory on the site of the old cemetery and dedicated it to Our Lady of Sorrows around 1720. On Fridays during Lent they held processions with statues representing scenes from Our Lord's passion. While on Friday before Palm Sunday, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows was solemnly celebrated, including a procession with her statue. These processions had already been introduced before 1759. This Oratory received considerable damage during the war and had to be rebuilt. The statues of the good Friday procession are kept in this chapel. Santa Maria Damascena This is one of the lovely buildings in the area around the church of St Lawrence. It was part of the church of Santa Maria Damascena, which was used by the Rhodians back in the 1500s. Now St Joseph Oratory. Inquisitor's Palace The palace was erected as the civil law courts of the Order of St John between the 1530s and 1571 then became the inquisitor’s residence from 1574 until 1798. It is today the only Inquisitor’s Place open to the public in the world and an architectural gem, representative of the chequered history and European heritage of the Maltese islands. Old house Nice old house in Birgu
Victory Square, Birgu The Victory Square lies in the centre of Vittoriosa (Birgu). The local residents know the square as ‘ Il-Pjazza’. On this square there is a white statue of St. Lorenz, which was constructed in 1880 : Birgu, Christmas, Holiday, Joulu, Malta, Victory Square, city, historia, kaupunki, loma Nice balconies Christmas decorations and nice facade Santa Claus Santa Claus is on his way, well, actually he should have visited the house already No access Sharp-looking fence blocking access to well-to-do people
Feeling blue Blue door and windows Mailbox Decorative mailbox Jesus and Mary Quite dark Jesus and Mary Collegiate Church of the Immaculate Conception The original parish church stood on the location of the present church. It was built before the Great Siege of Malta of 1565. It became a parish in 1586. Because of the growing number of parishioners it was decided to enlarge the church. But by 1684 the church became too small thus the construction of the present church commenced. The designs of the church are attributed to Vincenzo Casanova while those of the bell towers are attributed to Lorenzo Gafà. The church was finished around 1730. In 1822 the church was elevated to the status of a collegiate church.
Kalkara Parish Church As the population of Kalkara grew there was a need for a church and in 1890 a church dedicated to St. Joseph was built and Kalkara became a parish in 1879. However, on 10 April 1942, the Parish Church was heavily assaulted by enemy bombardments from the air in the Second World War. Unfortunately, the Church was fully demolished through these bombardments, and tragically enough, all its treasures were lost. On 21 November 1943, Rev. Carmelo Xuereb was officially installed as the third Parish Priest of Kalkara. His main duty was to rebuild the Parish Church and the community of Kalkara after these were destroyed through World War II. In 1944 a temporary church was inaugurated in the ex-Malta Gas Works stores. During this period, a new design for the new Parish Church was approved. This was made by Chev. Vincenzo Bonello with the necessary help of Joseph D'Amato. Having a neo-classical design, the new Parish Church was to be built in another place from where it previously stood. Thus, Archbishop Mons. Michael Gonzi bought a piece of land known as tal-Għeżieli near the strand of Kalkara. The first stone of the new church was blessed on 13 October 1946 and it took nearly six years to be fully built up Maltese Houses Nice-looking Maltese houses Witch Garage Kinda scary place, although this doesn't imply whether those are good or evil witches. Poor doggie Poor blush toy dog thrown away among waste
Nativity Scene One of the numerous Nativity Scenes built all over the island on Christmas time. Autozone Old Escort in good use