The first fortification to be built in Birgu was the Castrum Maris.
It is popularly attributed to have been built by the Arabs in around 870, but the earliest references to the castle date back to around the 13th century.

In 1526, the Order of Saint John sent a commission of 8 knights to inspect the island of Malta, which had been offered to them by Emperor Charles V as a potential base following their loss of Rhodes.
They described Birgu as a small defenceless town, with its only fortification being the obsolete and partially ruined Castrum Maris.

The Order eventually moved to Malta in 1530 and established itself in Birgu.
The first modifications were made to the Castrum Maris, which became Fort Saint Angelo and was used as the Grand Master's residence.
Later on, the entire town began to be surrounded by walls, in a similar style to the Order's earlier defences in Rhodes.
Birgu's land front was built by 1540.

In 1551, Ottomans attempted to attack Birgu but turned back once they saw the new defences.
They attacked again with a much larger force fourteen years later in 1565.
The siege, which became known as the Great Siege of Malta, lasted for three months and Birgu was heavily bombarded.
After the Great Siege, Birgu's fortifications were repaired, but soon lost most of their importance as the Order moved to its new capital Valletta, and built new fortifications there.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines were built around Birgu's and Senglea's land fronts.
These new lines increased the strength of the defensive position, but also reduced the importance of Birgu's land front.
Birgu's fortifications were extensively rebuilt in the 18th century, under the direction of the architect Charles François de Mondion.

On 18 July 1806, the gunpowder magazine of Birgu exploded, killing over 200 people.

The fortifications of Birgu were included on the Antiquities List of 1925.
The first fortification to be built in Birgu was the Castrum Maris. It is popularly attributed to have been built by the Arabs in around 870, but the earliest references to the castle date back to around the 13th century.
In 1526, the Order of Saint John sent a commission of 8 knights to inspect the island of Malta, which had been offered to them by Emperor Charles V as a potential base following their loss of Rhodes. They described Birgu as a small defenceless town, with its only fortification being the obsolete and partially ruined Castrum Maris.
The Order eventually moved to Malta in 1530 and established itself in Birgu. The first modifications were made to the Castrum Maris, which became Fort Saint Angelo and was used as the Grand Master's residence. Later on, the entire town began to be surrounded by walls, in a similar style to the Order's earlier defences in Rhodes. Birgu's land front was built by 1540.
In 1551, Ottomans attempted to attack Birgu but turned back once they saw the new defences. They attacked again with a much larger force fourteen years later in 1565. The siege, which became known as the Great Siege of Malta, lasted for three months and Birgu was heavily bombarded. After the Great Siege, Birgu's fortifications were repaired, but soon lost most of their importance as the Order moved to its new capital Valletta, and built new fortifications there.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines were built around Birgu's and Senglea's land fronts. These new lines increased the strength of the defensive position, but also reduced the importance of Birgu's land front. Birgu's fortifications were extensively rebuilt in the 18th century, under the direction of the architect Charles François de Mondion.
On 18 July 1806, the gunpowder magazine of Birgu exploded, killing over 200 people.
The fortifications of Birgu were included on the Antiquities List of 1925.
Fortifications of Birgu