Vittoriosa

Overview

Locality of Vittoriosa in MaltaIl-Birgu, also known as Birgu (formerly Borgo, the Borough), also called Città Vittoriosa (Victorious City) by the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, after the Great Siege of 1565 where it played a vital role. It is a Maltese city forming, with Cospicua and Senglea, one of the three cities of the Cottonera Lines.

The parish church is dedicated to Saint Lawrence.

Other names

Birgu, Il-Birgu

History

The city was established on the Grand Harbour of Malta, around Fort Saint-Ange, and became the island's main maritime base. When the Knights Hospitaller arrived in 1530, they made Birgu the capital of Malta: the former capital, Mdina, was located inland and was not suited to the demands of naval warfare.

After the Siege of Malta of 1565, Grand Master Jean Parisot de La Valette deemed that the Xiberras peninsula, facing Birgu, was less exposed to attacks. It was therefore decided to build a new capital there, named La Valette. It was also after this siege that the Knights nicknamed Birgu the Città Vittoriosa, or "Victorious City".

Genealogy

ADAMI Archive

  • Marriages 1558-1613 [Adami, v. 24]

Diocese of Malta Archive

  • Mat. 4 1746-1796 (MMML6026)
Source :
Wikipedia