Birgu Promontory Their Knowledge and Experience to Successive Generations of Workers
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spread along the coast and some of them could also be seen reaching out into the sea. From the places of worship built in this area, one may conclude that Christians, both of the Byzantine and Roman rites, Hebrews and, even Muslims, although no tangible proof of any mosque exists, all practiced their beliefs in this area. The shores beneath the Castle are the cradle of the technology and craftsmanship of the Island. As early as 1374, in the vicinity of Fort St.Angelo, there was already a well-established dockyard where galleys were built or repaired. In 1501, a bigger dockyard was built. Later, the Order built another one which was considered as the best in the Mediterranean. Eventually, many craftsmen and tradesmen passed on Aerial view of Birgu promontory their knowledge and experience to successive generations of workers. So this city has always been renowned for its craftsmen and tradesmen. Introduction Those who lacked skills earned their living as sailors on the various vessels which berthed alongside Birgu Wharf, later known as Galley Creek, where ships of all kind loaded or unloaded their wares to be sold Being experienced seafarers, the early settlers of these Islands became or bought along the shores of the Marina. This activity reached its climax immediately aware that the coast on the Western side of the promontory on in 1127 when Malta was annexed to the Kingdom of Sicily. which the city of Birgu was later built, offered shelter and security. They The importance which this part of the coast enjoyed was confi rmed realized that at the same time, if they were to be attacked by newcomers, when a castle was built at the end of the promontory. At fi rst this castle was they could defend themselves from the top of the hill at the edge of the referred to as Castrum Maris. The poor villagers of the neighbourhood felt promontory, facing the entrance of the harbour. Before the dawn of civilization, this security was the main reason why so many newcomers chose to settle in this part of the Island. All through the centuries and under the infl uence of various rulers, Birgu became the centre of religious cults, technology and commerce. In prehistoric times, the fi rst settlers built temples in honour of their gods and goddesses in which they performed their religious rites. Beneath the hill of the promontory, close to the site where later a castle was built, a Temple in honour of Goddess Hammuna was erected. Later, it was re-dedicated to Astarte and Gunone. This temple was so richly decorated, that it drew the attention of contemporary writers. These writers praised the beauty and prestige which this temple enjoyed. Its popularity spread beyond our shores. Most probably, it was destroyed during the Arab occupation. Its remains could still be seen when the Order of St.John came to Malta in 1530. A few months before, the well-known Quintinus prepared a report about the Island. In it he stated that he saw the remains of an old temple View of Fort St. Angelo from Valletta. 2 Birgu Walks 3 more sheltered and secure by building hovels not far away from the walls Walk No. 1 (Approx. duration 2 hrs) of the castle. Richer citizens built their houses closer or inside its walls, for security in case of danger. Slowly the scattered village underneath the castle was taking shape and being referred to as Il Borgo del Castello, To the Collacchio and hence its derivative - Il-Birgu. With the coming of the Order of St.John, Birgu was chosen to be their along the Fortifi cations city. So it was greatly improved and restored and to meet the Knights’ requirements, auberges for the various languages of the Knights, a hospital, new law courts and other palaces sprung everywhere. It was Arriving at the Bus almost built anew so much so that it was being referred to as La Città Terminus, cross the Nuova. (The new city) main road into Triq 8 ta’ Fortifi cations were built in the most vulnerable parts to strengthen Diçembru on your left the defense of the new city. These were of great benefi t during the Great and proceed downhill Siege of 1565. Behind them, the Knights and the inhabitants, although on the right side, along outnumbered, fought bravely to prevent the forces of Suleiman the a small garden below Magnifi cent from capturing the city. Their efforts fi nally lead to the fi nal the bastions and stop victory. For this feat, the city deservedly was awarded the prestigious at an open area, facing title of Città Vittoriosa: the victorious city, a title that its citizens still Dockyard Creek. The have very much at heart. entrance to Birgu is through a baroque Advance Gate with Couvre Port in the background sculptured gate on the To Birgu from Valletta Bus Terminus – Bus No. 1, 2, 4 or 6. right. This is the starting point of your walk for to-day. This area is known Journey takes about half an hour. by the locals as Fejn Sabu s-Sinjur (where Our Lord was found). This is the result of an unhappy event which happened here nearly two centuries Acknowledgements ago. During the night of the I would like to thank Mayor John Boxall and the Birgu Local Council members 18th and 19th October and staff, Mr. Victor Rizzo of Din l-Art Óelwa, Ms. IneΩ Baldacchino and 1837, a ciborium with Fr. Martin Micallef, all of whom in some way or other contributed towards consecrated hosts was the realization of this undertaking. stolen from the Church The author of St. Theresa, situated a few meters down the © Anton Attard 2006 road. Catholic Malta Ground Photography – Fr. Martin Micallef and Anton Attard was appalled by this sacrilegious act. Prayers A Birgu Local Council Publication of reparation were Fejn Sabu s-Sinjur (Chapel and Garden) Design, Separations & Printing: Bestprint Co. Ltd., Qrendi • Tel: 21 680 789 invoked in all churches. 4 Birgu Walks 5 Two days later, the ciborium was found in a crevice in the fortifi cations The fi rst gate you are going to walk through is the one in front of you. below the gate by a group of children playing nearby. Only the golden It is known as Advance Gate. Being in the part of the fortifi cations, whose cross on top of the ciborium’s lid was missing. Some days later, the defense was assigned to the Knights of Aragon, is also known as Gate of perpetrator was apprehended and sentenced to life imprisonment. While Aragon. As inscribed in Roman numerals curved on it, this gate, together serving sentence, he was murdered by a fellow prisoner. with the adjoining walls, were completed in 1722. As a thanksgiving for the fi nd without any hosts missing, the Theresian As you walk through, you come near the Local Council Offi ces Friars built a small chapel at the spot where the ciborium was found. This and the Malta at War Museum. This Museum, together with the could be seen in the small garden below the gate. adjoining war shelters Now let us start our walk along the fortifi cations. Soon after the Knights is administered by the of St. John settled in Malta, they were determined to fortify Birgu by NGO Fondazzjoni Wirt surrounding its strategic and vulnerable posts by defensive walls. These Artna and guided tours were erected according to plans by the Italian military engineer Antonio are held at the hour. Ferramolino, on whose suggestions, extensive modifications were Another Gate also carried out to Fort St.Angelo. Since these works were carried out known as Couvre Port expeditiously, they were not as strong and effi cient as they were supposed is across the bridge to be. But during the Great Siege of 1565, they proved to be a powerful crossing the previously deterrent, preventing the Turks in seizing the city. mentioned Ditch, or As years went by, military experts became aware that strategic parts as known by the locals of the fortifi cations were still not strong enough. Damages caused during – Il-Foss. Together with Couvre Port the siege and others due to ravages of time and neglect were worrying. So its adjoining bastions, it it was decided that works to restore the old bastions and strengthen the was completed by 1723. As you proceed, you can notice a fl ight of steps defence of the city should start immediately. In 1588, some restoration leading to the rampart works began and two towers were added; one facing the Santa Margherita which was guarded by the Hill land front in Cospicua and the other facing San Salvatore Hill in French Knights. Kalkara. Works dragged on due to lack of funds, which were being spent On the right there is on the new fortifi cations being built simultaneously around Valletta. the Main Gate of the In 1715, Grand Master Ramon Perellos commissioned military city. Being in the section engineers Louis Francois de Tigne’ and Charles Francois de Mondion to of the fortifi cations under assess and report on the present defence system of Birgu. They observed the responsibility of the various faults and recommended several recommendations. Most of these knights of the Langue of were carried out and fi nalized during the magistracy of Grand Master Provence, it is also known Manoel de Vilhena. These included the construction of new bastions and as Gate of Provence. the excavation of a kilometre long ditch, from the main entrance of the A marble tablet in Latin Main Gate city to the Post of Castille.