St Angelo Fort, Kannur

Fort St. Angelo is a bastioned fort in Birgu, Malta, located at the centre of the Grand Harbour. It was originally built in the medieval period as a castle(a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages) called the Castrum Maris.   

It was rebuit by the Order of Saint John as a fort with strong protective walls called Fort Saint Angelo between the 1530s and the 1560s, and it is best known for its role as the Order's headquarters during the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.

History

The site has been used since ancient times and was an important place of worship long ago, with a temple built for the goddess Astarte. The date of its original construction is unknown. However, the prehistoric & classical remains on site, are indicative of a fortified place and a habitable zone. 

A rock cut church close to the area had already existed since Orthodox Christianity in Malta around 600 A.D. and was rebuilt with wood in around 800 A.D. Later it was rebuilt in the 1960s by military engineer Carlos de Gruenbergh, and continued under British control from 1800 to 1979, serving as a naval base known as HMS Egmont/St Angelo and going through significant damage during World War II.

How To Reach

Kannur bus stand is located at a distance of around 2.9 KM from the fort. You can take a local auto or bus to reach the fort from the bus stand.