Birgu's role in Great Siege

Louis J. Scerri is to be congratulated on his review of the book edited by George Cassar, The Great Siege 1565 - Separating Fact from Fiction (The Sunday Times, May 22).

No writing about the Great Siege of 1565 is complete without reference to the crucial role played by Birgu. As seat of the Order of St John, it was at the heart of the siege operations as the battle scene shifted from Fort St Elmo to Fort St Michael, to Mdina - Birgu was the nerve-centre of action as La Vallette watched the progress of the battle from the lofty Clock Tower at Birgu Square.

Birgu undoubtedly deserved its new title, Città Vittoriosa. It brought great fame, honour and prestige to the Order among the monarchs of Europe. The hard-earned victory at Birgu in 1565 anchored Malta to Europe and the island started its road to nationhood.

No wonder the Grand Masters, even after the transfer of their Convent to Valletta, continued to hold Vittoriosa in high esteem. The Vittoriosa Marina continued to host the Order's fleet and the arsenals.

We are fortunate that most of the Great Siege sites at Vittoriosa are still preserved in their original layout; the fortifications are the very same ones that withstood the siege.