Siege Bell Memorial

The Siege Bell Memorial stands on the bastions at the harbour end of Valletta, Malta, along Triq il-Mediterran, looking out over the Grand Harbour. It commemorates the Allied servicemen and civilians who died during the Siege of Malta from 1940 to 1943, when the island withstood intense air attack and blockade. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the memorial in 1992, on the 50th anniversary of the award of the George Cross to Malta. The monument consists of a large bronze bell, cast in England, set within a circular colonnaded loggia of Maltese limestone, and the bell tolls at set times. Inside the loggia, inscriptions record the Allied dead of the Mediterranean campaign. In front of the monument, a memorial garden and terrace overlook the harbour entrance, and the Maltese flag and the flags of the Commonwealth nations are often displayed nearby. Beyond the memorial, steps lead to the lawns facing the Three Cities, making the site both a place of remembrance and a viewpoint. A visit takes about 30 minutes, with time to walk around the colonnade, read the inscriptions and look across the water to Fort St Angelo and Fort Ricasoli. The memorial is free and open daily. Late afternoon light is excellent for photographs, and the site is usually quiet because it lies beyond the main Republic Street shopping and sightseeing corridor. Visitors are asked to behave respectfully, and the memorial is a short walk from the Lower Barrakka Gardens and Fort St Elmo. Shade is limited, so water and a hat are useful in summer.