Birgu is the foremost maritime city of Malta which has been the centre of seafaring activity on the island for over 1000 years. In the Middle Ages, the harbour for boat provided services such as dry-docks, storage facilities and above all a safe haven where merchants from the maritime cities of Genoa and Spain called to trade and take on supplies. All this happened under the protection of the castle that was built on the head of the Birgu promontory.
Today, one can visit and experience many of the sites associated with various historical events that happened around Birgu. For example, the modern yatch marina is based just off the Birgu waterfront, which is made up of extraordinary buildings associated with the naval squadron of the Knights of St John. Fort St Angelo still stands proudly at the entrance to Dockyard Creek, witness to nearly one thousand years of history and numerous battles. The old naval bakery today hosts the Malta Maritime Museum where one can admire unique artefacts on display, each shedding light on the boat links between humans and the sea. The narrow and winding streets of the walled town are charming in themselves and one can stumble across architectural gems such as the Inquisitor's Palace.
