St. John Bastion and the Advanced Gate, Birgu

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St. John Bastion and the Advanced Gate, Birgu

St. John Bastion and the Advanced Gate, Birgu

Saint John Bastion is a substantial and asymmetrical bastion located within Birgu. It is a notable defensive structure designed by the accomplished military engineer Charles François de Mondion during the 18th century. This bastion features two of the three primary gates of Birgu, which were strategically integrated into its design. A modern road now traverses through an arch within the bastion, serving as a key entry point into the city.

One of the prominent features of Saint John Bastion is the two-tiered structure known as Saint John Cavalier, which originally stood on the bastion until 1565. Subsequently, in the 18th century, modifications were made to the bastion's layout and architecture, with further minor alterations implemented by the British during the 19th century.

Inside the bastion, one can explore its historic walls, courtyards, open spaces, an arched bridge, and a small park. The site also houses a military museum, providing insights into Malta's rich military heritage, along with convenient amenities such as a shop and a snack bar.

The Advanced Gate, located to the right of Saint John's Bastion, serves as the second of the city's three main gates. It plays an integral role in Birgu's fortifications and access points.

The open areas within Saint John Bastion provide visitors with scenic views of the bastion itself, the marina, and the neighboring town of Senglea, offering a glimpse into the historic and picturesque surroundings.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Birgu. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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St. John Bastion and the Advanced Gate on Map

Sight Name: St. John Bastion and the Advanced Gate
Sight Location: Birgu, Malta (See walking tours in Birgu)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Birgu, Malta

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Create Your Own Walk in Birgu

Creating your own self-guided walk in Birgu is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Birgu, also known as "Victorious City", is an ancient fortified town on the southern shore of the Grand Harbour in the South Eastern Region of Malta. It occupies a prominent piece of land, with Fort Saint Angelo crowning its apex and the town of Cospicua resting at its base.

The name "Birgu" traces its roots to the Arabic word "Borgo," meaning a small town. Over...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
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The defensive complex surrounding Birgu, Malta, began to take shape in the early Middle Ages when Fort Saint Angelo was built circa the mid-1200s. The majority of other fortifications here were erected between the 16th and 18th centuries under the auspices of the Order of Saint John.

Remarkably, a significant portion of Birgu's fortifications remains well-preserved to this day and have...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles