Victory Square, Birgu

Landmark

Landmark · Birgu, Malta 35.8880°N 14.5219°E

Why you should go

Ninety seconds on Victory Square, Birgu

Best time

Birgu FestMusic and artisan stalls

Effort

On footSmall town, short walks

Access

Bus 2 terminusFrom Valletta bus station

Guide

Not neededGo on your own

Cafes

Are there cafes on Victory Square?

Yes. Cafes line Victory Square, serving a light lunch and drinks. The square sits in the centre of Birgu, so a table here makes an easy break at any point on a walk through the old town.

Ferry from Valletta

Is there a ferry from Valletta to Birgu?

Yes. Birgu can be reached by ferry from Valletta harbour. From the city, take the Upper Barrakka lift down to the harbour for the crossing.

Birgu Fest

When is Birgu Fest?

Birgu Fest runs over two October nights, with music, local food and artisan stalls in the streets of the old town. It is an evening event, held after dark.

Two landmarks share Birgu's main square: the Great Siege Victory monument, and the outline of the old clock tower, set into the paving where you can trace it.

What makes it special

Victory Square, officially Pjazza tal-Belt Vittoriosa, is the main square of Birgu. The Great Siege Victory monument stands on it, erected in memory of the victory of the Great Siege of 1565. A statue of St Lawrence shares the square with the monument.

The clock tower's outline is the newest feature, revealed when the square was regenerated. A red travertine perimeter with a brass strip marks the tower's base, and you can walk round its footprint in the paving.

The tower was bombed in April 1942. The same red border also traces the original edges of the historic square.

Main Gate Street, Triq Il-Mina Kbira, runs from the square towards the city gate. The parish church stands in the other direction, between the square and the waterfront.

Visiting

On the square, go to the monument first, then the statue, then walk the red outline of the clock tower in the paving.

Take Main Gate Street towards the city gate for the Inquisitor's Palace, which stands between the gate and the square.

Then walk back through the square and on to the Collegiate Church of St Lawrence. Beyond it, finish with a walk along the Vittoriosa Waterfront. A walk along the water is one of the best things to do in Birgu, so leave time for it.