The fort
Fort Saint Elmo (Forti Sant'Iermu)
Fort Saint Elmo occupies the head of the Sciberras Peninsula. It was named after Erasmus of Formia, the patron saint of sailors. The Knights turned the location into a fort to protect the approaches to the two harbours. Saint Elmo was the scene of a crucial battle during the great siege of 1565. It was rebuilt and modified many times. In the Second World War, it was a frequent target of the Axis forces, who repeatedly bombarded it, causing some loss of life among civilians seeking protection behind its strong walls.
As seen on
Valletta City Tour: Poem in Stone
Click shuffle to discover more great stories.
©2025 All rights reserved.