Fort St Elmo

What makes it special

This small fort held out for a month in the Great Siege of 1565 before surrendering. Little in the galleries dates from the siege itself, so objects and interpretation together build up the picture.

Only nine of the Maltese defenders survived its fall, by swimming across the Grand Harbour to Fort St Angelo, the headquarters of the Order of St John during the siege. That fort is open to visitors, reached from Valletta by ferry or water taxi, weather permitting.

The National War Museum inside covers Maltese military history in seven sections. Faith, the Gloster Sea Gladiator, is on display, and so is Husky, which the museum lists as Roosevelt's jeep. A separate War Memorial section holds the museum's medals.

On parade Sundays the colourful In Guardia troop marches round the fort in a show set in the time of the Knights Hospitaller. It is staged on the historic Piazza D'Armi.

Visiting

Start just inside the entrance, where the first building is the oldest on the Sciberras Peninsula. Next comes a series of arches opposite the Porta del Soccorso. From there, move into the museum galleries, which mix objects with interpretation, then out onto the bastions.

The wind whips across the top of the fort, and high winds can close some sections. Last admission is half an hour before closing.

Once you are back outside, walk right round the fort and take a good look at the walls.