The Santa Margherita Lines were constructed by the Knights of St. John between 1638 and 1736 to provide additional lines of defence for Birgu (Vittoriosa) and L-Isla (Senglea) in the event of attack. The original plans were designed by Cardinal Fra Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuola. These fortifications were made up of five bastions and a series of curtains most of which survive to this day. However St. Francis Bastion and St. Raphael Demi-Bastion that formed western flank and link-up with the Senglea land front, were demolished in the 19th century to make way for the dockyard.
In the mid 1850's the British constructed Fort Verdala within the Verdala Curtain between St. Helen and Santa Margherita Bastions. During that period this section of the lines were also linked to the Cottonera Lines with the construction of St. Clement's Retrenchment.
This video explores the full length of the Santa Margherita Lines starting from the French Creek end to the Birgu Land Front, during the process of their restoration.
Exploring the Cottonera Lines • Exploring the Cottoner...
Fort Verdala and St. Clement Retrenchment • St. Clement's Retrench...
Corradino Lines • More than meets the ey...
French Creek Curtain Wall [00:36]
St. John Almoner Bastion [00:45]
San Ġwann t'Għuxa Windmill [1:23]
St. John Almoner Ditch [2:39]
St. Helen Curtain and Gate [3:42]
St. Helen Water Reservoirs [3:43]
Glacis [3:57]
Above St. Helen's Gate [4:21]
St. Helen's Gate [8:10]
St. Helen Bastion [9:18]
St. Clement's Retrenchment [10:13]
Verdala Tenaille [10:47]
Verdala Curtain and Gate [11:00]
Entrance to St. Clement's Retrenchment [11:39]
Verdala Gate [11:52]
Fort Verdala [12:00]
Santa Margherita Bastion [13:10]
Firenzuola Bastion [14:37]
Santa Margherita Windmill [16:00]
Santa Margherita Church [16:08]
Stepped Wing [16:31]
Pas de Souris (access to the Counterscarp) [16:55]
Birgu Land Front [18:42]
Music: Shostakovich Symphony No. 9, Movements 2-5, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Walter Susskind conducting