Fort St. Elmo, Valletta, Malta

The star-shaped Fort St Elmo is the most famous fort in Malta, built at the end of the peninsula upon which the capital city of Valletta was later built. When the Knights of St John first landed in Malta in 1530 the entrances to the Grand and Marsamuxett Harbour were virtually undefended. Realising the need for a coast defence work with gun platforms and a fort capable of withstanding a limited attack or raid, various plans were drawn up. However, given the resources that were being put into in the development of defences at Birgu and Fort St Angelo, funds were insufficient and further development halted. During the Great Siege of 1565 Fort St Elmo felt the fury of the Turkisk armada attacks. Bombarded by massed batteries on the higher ground behind, it took a punishment it was never designed to withstand and, remarkably, withstood a siege by the finest Turkish soldiers for a full month. The bravery of the people within, both Knights and local people, and the ability of the knights to resupply and reinforce this beleagued fort across the Grand Harbour during the hours of darkness, ensured its survival. Notwithstanding these acts of heroism and gallantry the fort finally fell to the Turks on June 23 1565. Fort St Elmo was used in battle until the last World War and had no intention of again falling victim to the Italians, just as happened with the Turks. In 1941 her guns fired in anger at the Italian explosive motorboats and E boats trying to attack shipping in the harbours and contributed, not only to the successful coast defence action, but also to the survival of the Maltese people and the unsuccessful attempts of landing by Fascist and Nazi forces. Www.locationmalta.com