Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum

Fort St Elmo stands at the seaward tip of the Valletta peninsula on Triq il-Mediterran, Malta, guarding the entrances to both the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. Its defenders held out for weeks against the Ottoman assault during the Great Siege of 1565, a stand that bought time for the rest of the island. The star-shaped fort was later rebuilt and extended, and it saw further service under British rule and in the Second World War. Today it houses the National War Museum, run by Heritage Malta, which traces Malta's military story from the Knights of St John through the French and British periods to the Second World War. Displays include weapons, uniforms, vehicles and photographs; the best-known exhibits relate to the wartime siege of Malta, including the George Cross awarded to the island in 1942. Visitors walk through the fort's courtyards, ramparts and casemates, and the upper walls give broad views over both harbours, across to Fort Ricasoli and the Three Cities. Photographers favour the ramparts facing the harbour entrance and the lines of stone embrasures. A visit normally takes 1.5 to 2 hours. On Sundays, the In Guardia parade, a re-enactment of the Knights' garrison drill, is reported to take place around 11:00 and adds a lively element for families. The fort is about 20 minutes on foot from City Gate, so most visitors arrive after a walk through the length of the city. Crowds are lightest in the morning; mid-day cruise arrivals fill the courtyards. Some sections of the museum can be closed for works, and Heritage Malta has reduced the adult price when that happens, so checking the current notice on the Heritage Malta site before visiting is wise. Sunscreen and a hat help in summer, as much of the route is exposed.