Fort St Angelo
Fortress at the tip of the Birgu peninsula with an interpretation centre, dioramas, artillery and views of the Grand Harbour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Fort St Angelo stands on a hillock at the end of the Birgu peninsula and overlooks the Grand Harbour. As Castrum Maris it already had two enclosures by 1274. After 1530 the Order of St John made it their headquarters and added artillery platforms, and the fort played a major role in the Great Siege of 1565.
In 1689 Carlos Grunenbergh turned it into a coastal fortress with four gun platforms. The Royal Navy used it as a shore base from 1906; it was renamed HMS Egmont in 1912 and HMS St Angelo in 1933. During the Second World War it took 69 direct hits. The last foreign forces left in March 1979.
Today visitors can see an interpretation centre, dioramas and artillery displays. The upper fort, with the Magistral Palace, the Keep and the Chapel of St Anne, is open under an agreement with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Highlights
- Fortress of the Knights above the Grand Harbour
- Interpretation centre with dioramas and artillery
- Magistral Palace, Keep and Chapel of St Anne
- Audio guide in seven languages
- Ferry or water taxi from Valletta, weather permitting
Permanent exhibition
- Interpretation centre and artillery displays – Dioramas and artillery displays tell the history of the fortress, from the Knights to the Royal Navy.
- Operated by
- Heritage Malta
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Youths aged 12 to 17, senior citizens aged 60 and over, concessions and students |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 11; infants aged 1 to 5 enter free. |
| Seniors | €6Senior citizens aged 60 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | €6Concessions and students. |
Heritage Malta members and Heritage Malta Passport holders enter free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Some areas cannot be fully accessed by visitors with reduced mobility; the upper fort can only be reached by steps. Electric vehicles that help wheelchair users across Heritage Malta sites cannot be used in bad weather.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
- Baby changing facilities
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Heritage Malta points visitors to the public transport journey planner at publictransport.com.mt.
By car
Parking available
Parking, including bays for disabled visitors, is available close to the site.
Ferries and water taxis run from Valletta, weather permitting.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Gift shop and several restrooms around the site; indoor and outdoor seating area.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (MT, EN, DE, IT, ES, FR, ZH) |
| Good to know | A visit of about two hours is recommended. Guided tours can be requested through the Heritage Malta website. |
