WORDS NICOLE PARNIS STAYCATION VACATION

I GOT A FEW PUZZLED LOOKS WHEN I TOLD MY GIRLFRIENDS WHERE I WAS OFF TO FOR AN UPCOMING WEEKEND BREAK. “YES, BIRGU”, I’D REPEAT. “A STAYCATION. THEY’RE ALL THE RAGE THESE DAYS.”

We weren’t disappointed, and the fair city of Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, sitting pretty across from Valletta in Malta’s Grand Harbour, turned out to be more charismatic than expected. Culturally fruitful, Birgu exudes Maltese charm, with its stone bastions and plant-pot paved alleyways, Regatta clubs and smiling locals. The street decorations and church bells set the scene for what was to be the perfect Springtime escape, away from the fastpaced buzz of the city.

The seaside locality surrounded by clear azure waters, proved the ideal place to slow down and embrace Malta’s past. Everywhere you looked was a reminder of the stories the fortified city has told. It evoked the imagination, tales of quests and journeys, battles and victories. Well known for its rich historical importance, Birgu, in The Southern Harbour region of the main island, is one of Malta’s “Three Cities”, along with Senglea and Bormla. Though petite, Birgu provided more than its fair share of sightseeing opportunities over a two-night stay. The many twists and turns of the old city streets were dotted with grand buildings that once hosted knights and hospitallers. Due to its strategic location, Birgu served as the base of the Order of Saint John and de facto capital city of Malta from 1530 to 1571. It was Birgu that held the fort during The Great Siege of Malta, the climax of the escalating conquest against the Ottoman Empire’s fight for control of The Mediterranean in 1565. The Knights of Malta withstood the siege and repelled the invaders, and the victory became one of the most celebrated triumphs of sixteenth-century Europe.

Birgu’s selection of museums is concentrated, making it a desirable destination stay for history lovers looking to delve into Malta’s thrilling past. Fort St Angelo, with its magnificent views of The Grand Harbour, is just a stone’s throw away from The Malta Maritime Museum, which explores the island’s naval background up to the Second World War. The Inquisitor’s Palace, now upheld by Heritage Malta, is one of the few surviving places of interest of its kind, and is open to the public as a museum.