Fort St. Elmo

Fort St Elmo, the sentinel of Valletta

Fort St Elmo, a symbol of Valletta, guards the entrance to the harbours at the tip of the peninsula. The Valletta audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this heroic fortress, which resisted during the Great Siege of 1565.

The fortress of the Great Siege

Fort St Elmo stands at the tip of the Valletta peninsula, guarding the entrance to the two great harbours of Malta. During the Great Siege of 1565, it heroically resisted the Ottoman assaults, marking the history of the island. Become a symbol of the city, it today houses a museum devoted to the military history of Malta. Its powerful silhouette dominates the sea and the fortifications.

What to see

Here you discover the ramparts, the bastions and the National War Museum housed in the fort, as well as fine views of the sea and the harbours. Fort St Elmo tells the story of the Great Siege and the military history of Malta. It is a major stop for lovers of history and fortifications, at the tip of Valletta.

Practical information

Fort St Elmo lies at the tip of the Valletta peninsula, reachable on foot. The visit of the fort and the National War Museum has a fee and follows its own hours, which vary with the season. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

Why is Fort St Elmo famous?

Because it heroically resisted during the Great Siege of 1565; a symbol of Valletta, it guards the entrance to the harbours and houses the National War Museum.

Where is Fort St Elmo?

At the tip of the Valletta peninsula, at the entrance to the harbours.