A full gun salute will be fired from the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barrakka on Wednesday to mark the historic naval battle of Trafalgar between Britain, France and Spain in 1805.

Fontazzjoni Wirt Artna said the antique guns will be fired at at 5.30pm - the hour of British victory.

It explained that for hundreds of years the British-manned Saluting Battery served as a combined defensive and ceremonial battery as well as the island's official time-marker. In the days of empire, special occasions called ‘days of triumph' were held to announce or commemorate important naval and military victories.

The Wednesday event will include a historic commentary and the last post in honour of the hundreds of men lost at sea on both sides in that battle. This will be followed by two illustrated lectures on the Battle of Trafalgar and ‘Nelson's Blood - the history of naval rum tradition in the Royal Navy. A short re-enactment illustrating the way that this tradition was exercised in the Royal Navy of old will also take place using period artefacts. This activity will end with the distribution of a free rum tot to all in the fashion of the Royal Navy.

An entrance fee of €5 per adult will be charged. FWA members will participate for free. www.wirtartna.org.

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