Vittoriosa Things to Do

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Walking in the Vittoriosa Waterfront is quite relaxing. On your right, there's some good sites worth a peek and a pic. There's the Maritime Museum, the Clock Tower, The Casino (former Scamps Palace), and at the end of your walk Fort St Angelo. Meanwhile if you look on your left, there's Senglea and the Vittoriosa Marina. In front of you the Valletta Bastions. The walk is not long so you'll do it a 20 minutes. ( way back included). Please click on pic to see more photos.

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Graffitti and frescos are still visible in most of the cells in the palace. A particular graffitti is found in the first cell right beside the 'Toilet Well'. It symbolisis a Rose and the artist must have had lots of time to spare for this drawing. A fresco of 'Madonna of Mt Carmel' and St Joseph are still recognisable in a cell in the first floor just oppisite the 'Sun Dial'. Other graffitti depict 'British Galleons' , Holy Crosses and even written insults (in English) to the person responsable of them being inside. Records show that escapism was rather common from these cells, mainly as stated in tip 1of 4 that the Palace was not built originally for that purpose and inmates used to dig under the walls. Please click on photo to see pics of The Graffitti, The Cell Corridor, The Toilet Well and the Sundial.

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Known Locally as St Dominic's Church, the Annunciation church was originally built by the Dominican Order in 1528 but rebuilt from scratch after the bombings of World War II. It was here that Pope Alexander VII then still a cleric and also later an Inquisiter, celebrated his first High Mass in 1635.Click on pic to see the Church's Altar and Dome.

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The Inquisiter's Palace in Birgu was the Main Inquisition Seat of Malta from 1574 till 1798 when it was time for the Knights to leave Malta.The palace was not built purposely as a residence for the Inquisitor. It was erected in the 1530s as the civil law courts of the Order of St John soon as the Knights arrived in Malta. It continued to serve as law courts until 1571, when the Order transferred its headquarters to Valletta after the siege of 1565. Mgr Pietro Dusina arrived in Malta in 1574 as the first general inquisitor of the Maltese Islands. The Grand Master offered him the unused palace as an official residence.Of the 62 Roman Inquisiters, 24 were elected Cardinals, 3 Bishops and 2 Popes ( Alexander VII and Innocent XII). Inside this Palace (which is still in Pristine condition), one can find the 'Gothic Cloister' in the main courtyard, the Prison Cells, The Court of Inquisition, the Chapel and the Torture room among others. Please click on pic to see the photo of all 'attractions' mentioned, and see the rest of 'things to do - Inquisiter's Palace' for more specific details.

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A trial in this court ( most usually regarding Heresy) was surely not a pleasant one. Present in the room, there would be the Inquisiter, the Grand Master, the Bishop, the Prior of the Conventual Church of St John and the Vice Chancellor. The 'accused after spending days in a solitary cell just opposite the court room , would be escorted to the court room and forced to enter from under a three foot door thus having to kneel in front of the Inquisiter wheter he likes it or not. After the trial, the defendent is either found innocent and freed or if found guilty or not repentent he'll be led to the secret staircase at the right side of the court and 'Purified' with the Torture Instruments. Click on pic to see the torture room , the cells and the secret passageway to the torture room.

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Two monuments are unmissable in Vittoriosa's Main Square. The statue close to the Band Club represents St Lawrence. He's been the patron Saint of Vittoriosa long before the Knights arrived in Malta. This statue was built in 1880. The other statue further downhill in the same square commemorates the Great Siege o 1565. This monument known as 'The Victory Monument' was built in 1705. At a corner of the square, you can find a plaque under a niche. The plaque says that during the 16th Century, 'criminals' were hanged in that spot. Please click on pic to see other attractions in the city Square.

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The torch atop of the monument was lit for the first time on the big day - 31st March 1979 by Mr Dom. Mintoff ,Malta's Primeminister in those days. The monument in itself holds a series of symbolic messages. The rugged winding hill reaching the torch symbolics the long and hard way to achieve the Freedom. The British sailor shaking hands to the Maltese man symbolics that the British left Malta on very good terms. The Prickly Pear cactus surrounding the hill , was part of the Republic of Malta Coat of Arm in those days.( Click on photo to see the old Republic emblem). For the Maltese , Freedom Day was a big achievment as after thousands of years Malta was governed by the Maltese without any fingerdipping of the foreign. It also was a 'hat-trick' after managing to achieve Independce Day and Republic Day just 15 years prior.

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Fort St Angelo is one of Malta's prime military heritage sites. Tradition says that it stands on the site of a fortified Roman settlement. But it is a true fact that Fort St. Angelo starred in Maltese history as the undefeated fort during the Great Siege .... when almost impossibly, it managed to withstand the relentless attacks of the Ottoman Turks, for 3 whole months.

In great contrast, nowadays it is a peaceful place, looking over the creek separating Birgu from the opposite Isla and the majestic Grand Harbour. But just walking by in this atmospheric setting, it is not so difficult to imagine the bloody, bold history that this monument signifies.