Bormla
www.bormla.gov.mt
The City of Bormla is situated
in the South East of Malta in a region known as Cottonera.
This area lies behind an immense structure of bastions
built during the period when the Knights of the Military
Order of St. John ruled Malta (circa 1530 -1750).
The northern promontory where the city of Birgu is now
situated is characterized by the magnificent fort St.
Angelo. This city was chosen as the residential area of the
Knights and many magnificent palaces, churches and
residences were built. On the Southern promontory, one
finds the city of Senglea more popularly known as L-Isla,
which was built and fortified to defend this part of the
Grand Harbor. This was done in anticipation of an expected
Ottoman invasion, which became a reality a few years later.
Bormla was the last city to be built (circa 1720) and was
developed to protect the harbor area as well as the two
other cities.
The name Bormla is derived from the phrase Bir-Mula meaning
“The Lord’s well”.
The city was renamed “Cospicua” by the Knights of St. John
because of the brave (`conspicuous') role played by its
people during the Great Siege of 1565.
Most of its shoreline is taken up by the older dockyard -
an area now being restored, and developed as a marina. The
city suffered extensive damage during World War II and
although rebuilt, it has fewer inhabitants than in the
pre-war years.
