Tales Timeline – Tales of Kottonera

The Nineeeth Century

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The Interactive Science centre is officially inaugurated 2016
28 OCTOBER 2016
28/10/2016
Announcements were made on October 28, 1994, regarding the conversion of Bighi Palace in Kalkara, previously a part of the Naval Hospital, into offices for the Malta Council for Science and Technology.
Dock no. 1 project is inaugurated 2014
27 August 2014
27/08/2014
The area where today we find Dock No. 1, was referred to as Porto delle Gallere during the time of the Knights in Malta. Towards the middle of the 19th century
Maritime Museum clock tower gets new bells 2011
13 June 2011
13/06/2011
During a ceremony on 13 June 2011, a set of period bells that were acquired to replace the old ones at the Maritime Museum clock tower were inaugurated and blessed.
Pope Benedict XVI visits the Cottonera 2010
18 April 2010
18/04/2010
On the 1950th anniversary of the shipwreck of St Paul in Malta, Pope Benedict XVI made a pastoral visit to our country between the 17th and 18th of April 2010.
Actor Charles Clews passes away 2009
29 January 2009
29/01/2009
Born on 27 September 1919 in Isla, Charles Clews was a Maltese comic actor and scriptwriter.
The first community of Salesians in the convent of St Philip 2008
20 October 2008
20/10/2008
The community originally founded by St John Bosco, began living in the Convent of St Philip in Isla on 20 October 2008.
After one hundred years, the Rinella Canon is fired again 2005
11 December 2005
11/12/2005
The Minister for Tourism Francis Zammit Dimech fired the Rinella Cannon in front of a crowd of 300 people.
The Bormla Sports Complex is inaugurated 2003
1 March 2003
01/03/2003
The main sports complex in the South of Malta with the largest indoor sports facilities in Malta.
Treaty between the Maltese Government and the Order of St John 1998
5 December 1998
05/12/1998
On this day, a treaty was signed between Malta and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, granting the upper part of Fort St Angelo, including the Grand Master's House and the Chapel of St Anne, to the Order.
The Um El Faroud is scuttled 1998
2 September 1998
02/09/1998
The Um El Faroud, a Libyan tanker, had been built 26 years earlier in England and transported fuel between Libya and Italy.
The foundation stone for a new Elderly Home was laid 1997
7 February 1997
07/02/1997
In 1699, a Conservatory was established in Cospicua for poor adolescent girls. It was eventually dedicated to St Joseph of the Apparition.
The War Victims Memorial in Bormla is inaugurated 1994
20 November 1994
20/11/1994
The monument is in front of the Church of Bormla and is the work of Michael Camilleri Cauchi.
A monument to honour Malta Drydocks' fallen Shipyard workers is inaugurated 1992
14 April 1992
14/04/1992
During a ceremony held at the Malta Drydocks on Tuesday, 14 April 1992, a monument was inaugurated in honour of the workers who lost their lives throughout the years
A War Memorial is inaugurated in Isla 1991
5 September 1991
05/09/1991
Hundreds of years after the Great Siege of 1565, Malta experienced another siege, this time through aerial attacks.
Pope John Paul II visits the Three Cities of Cottonera 1990
26 May 1990
26/05/1990
United behind the theme ‘One Heart with the Pope – Qalb Waħda mal-Papa”, the Maltese people gave an astounding “Merhba” to John Paul II.
St Anne’s home is inaugurated in Isla 1987
30 June 1987
30/06/1987
The building was originally a house with an Oratory, but in 1819 it was turned into a Hospice.
The Oratory of the Crucifix in Cospicua is consecrated 1783
23 November 1783
23/11/1983
The first stone of the Oratory of the Crucifix which is next to the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception
The Maċina in Isla becomes the Headquarters for the Malta Labour Party 1980
22 February 1980
22/02/1980
The Maċina Bastion together with some nearby buildings became the new headquarters of the Malta Labour Party.
The British leave Malta 1979
31 March 1979
31/03/1979
On 31 March 1979, the last remaining detachment of British Forces marched out of Fort St Angelo to the
The flagship is transferred from HMS St Angelo to HMS London 1956
12 March 1979
12/03/1979
Since on 31 March 1979, the British military base in Malta was going to close, the transfer of the flagship from HMS St Angelo to HMS London took place on 12 March 1979.
Villa Portelli passes into the local Government’s hands 1979
30 January 1979
30/01/1979
Villa Portelli is located across the hill leading to Bighi in Kalkara and was built in the early 19th century by Sir Agostino Portelli, the founder of the Malta Chamber of Commerce.
Birgu’s new Primary School is inaugurated 1976
10 April 1976
10/04/1976
After recognising the long-standing need for a new Primary School in Birgu, a decision was made in the 1970s to construct the new school
The Victualling Yard at Birgu is transferred 1964
28 June 1964
28/06/1964
It had been operating from Birgu since the beginning of the 19th century
The Dockyard is no longer under Bailey 1963
14 February 1963
14/02/1963
Throughout its long history, the dockyard has always been an important facility, providing work to thousands of people.
Ferries stop operating in the Grand Harbour 1959
31 August 1959
31/08/1959
In the past, one mode of transport in the Grand Harbour was the ferry. Yet, over time, they were no longer financially viable, and their operation stopped on 31 August 1959.
The new church in Isla is consecrated 1957
24 August 1957
24/08/1957
After the war, some believed that the Isla Parish Church should be rebuilt after it was destroyed in 1942.
Bighi’s Cot Lift is back in operation 1956
7 March 1956
07/03/1956
On Wednesday, 7 March 1956, the Cot Lift at Bighi’s Naval Hospital was re-inaugurated after repairing the damage it suffered during the Second World War
Dom Mauro Inguanez dies 1955
17 October 1955
17/10/1955
He was instrumental during the Second World War, when he helped to arrange the transfer of many manuscripts, therefore saving them from destruction.
Cardinal Tedeschini in Bormla 1955
23 July 1955
23/07/1955
On the 50th anniversary of the coronation of the titular painting of the Immaculate Conception of Bormla, Cardinal Tedeschini attached a halo with stars around the head of the Immaculate Conception.
The foundation stone of the new church dedicated to the Annunciation is laid 1955
27 March 1955
27/03/1955
Archbishop Michael Gonzi laid the foundation stone for the new church dedicated to the Annunciation on Sunday, March 27, 1955
The inauguration and blessing of the new church in Kalkara 1952
7 September 1952
07/09/1952
Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi bought a sizeable piece of land near the Kalkara shore and gifted it to the Kalkara Parish, with the aim of building the new Parish Church on it.
The foundation stone for the new Dominican Convent 1952
27 July 1952
27/07/1952
The convent of the Dominican friars we see today replaced the one that was demolished during the Second World War
St Edward’s College reopens again 1947
8 January 1947
08/01/1947
During the Second World War, St Edward’s College was transferred to the Old Seminary in Mdina since Cottonera, where the school was originally located, was heavily bombed.
The statue of the Immaculate Conception and the titular painting return to Bormla 1944
19 November 1944
19/11/1944
In 1941 the statue of the Immaculate Conception together with the titular painting of Bormla, were taken to Birkirkara to be in a safer place
The titular statue of St Lawrence is back in Birgu 1944
30 July 1944
30/07/1944
In 1941, this statue was taken to Mdina to be in a safer place during the war.
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer returns to Isla 1944
9 July 1944
09/07/1944
When the war was practically over, on 9 July 1944, the statue of Jesus the Redeemer was brought back to Isla.
Italy surrenders 1943
8 September 1943
08/09/1943
This was the day when the war in Malta stopped. Coincidentally, it was the same day when the statue of Our Lady, known as Il-Bambina,
King George VI visits Isla 1943
20 June 1943
20/06/1943
King George VI visited Isla, Malta on Sunday 20 June 1943 during World War II. Malta, a British colony, had been under siege by the Axis powers for over two years.
Carmelo Borg Pisani is sent to the gallows 1942
28 November 1942
28/11/1942
The espionage mission he came to carry out in Malta was discovered while he was in hospital.
The St Mary Convoy 1942
15 August 1942
15/08/1942
In 1942, after the continuous bombings from the air by the Axis forces, Malta was on the verge of surrendering.
The Clock tower in Birgu is destroyed 1942
27 April 1942
27/04/1942
Found in Birgu Square, the Clock Tower had five floors and was about forty metres high.
The Oratory of the Crucifix of Isla is hit during an Axis air raid 1942
9 April 1942
09/04/1942
After being spared during the first months of the war, except for some minor damage, on 9 April 1942
The old dome of the Church of St Lawrence collapses 1942
4 April 1942
04/04/1942
In January 1941, during one of the attacks on HMS Illustrious, the old dome of St Lawrence Church in Birgu, was heavily damaged, and later, on 4 April 1942, it collapsed.
Four bombs hit the fuel depot in Fort San Salvatore 1941
25 October 1941
25/10/1941
The San Salvatore bastion which forms part of the Cottonera fortifications was turned into a fort during the time of Grand Master Perellós.
The Italian E-Boat attack 1941
26 July 1941
26/07/1941
On the evening of July 25th, the Italian Navy left Sicily with a plan to blow a gap in the steel net of the Grand Harbour
The Convent and Church of the Annunciation are hit 1941
19 January 1941
19/01/1941
On Sunday morning of the 19th of January 1941, Birgu suffered one of the fiercest attacks which left it in a devastated state.
The Basilica in Isla is hit by bombs 1941
16 January 1941
16/01/1941
During one of the attacks on the HMS Illustrious, the Isla Basilica dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary, was hit for the first time by a bomb
The ceremony for the granting of the standards to the Birgu Scouts Group 1938
23 October 1938
23/10/1938
For this ceremony, the Scout Groups of Bormla, St Edward's College, Żabbar, Msida and those of the Salvatur Reformatory were present
Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonniċi is born in Bormla 1933
17 July 1933
17/07/1933
Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici served as Prime Minister of Malta from 1984 to 1987
HMS Egmont renamed as HMS St Angelo 1933
1 July 1933
01/07/1933
Fort St Angelo was officially transferred to the Royal Navy on 8 December 1906. Four years later, a ship mast was installed, and in 1912, the fort’s name was changed to HMS Egmont,
President of Malta Ugo Mifsud Bonnici is born in Bormla 1932
8 November 1932
08/11/1932
He studied at the Lyceum and at the Royal University of Malta. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 and a Doctorate in Law in 1955.
Tram service terminated 1929
15 December 1929
15/12/1929
The tram service in Malta, known as the Malta Tramway and Transport Company Limited, operated from 1905 to 1929. It provided a means of public transportation on the island, particularly in the areas of Valletta, Floriana, Hamrun, Birkirkara, and Sliema.
St Edward’s College welcomes its first students 1929
1 October 1929
01/10/1929
The governor of Malta, Sir John Philip Ducane, managed to obtain the buildings of what was once the Cottonera Military Hospital, along with the parade ground adjoining St. Clement's bastions.
Cottonera Hospital leased to St Edward’s College 1929
29 May 1929
29/05/1929
Established in 1929 the college was to be a Catholic college for Maltese boys, run on the lines of a British public school.
Charles Thake is born in Isla 1927
21 December 1927
21/12/1927
Charles Thake was born in Isla on 21 December 1927. He was a Maltese actor, very well known for the comic parts he used to play.
Maċina mast crane removed 1927
26 February 1927
26/02/1927
One of the most iconic places in Isla is the bastion part known as Maċina, where the Knights of St John installed a mast crane called sheer legs to load masts on ships.
The inauguration and blessing of the dome of the old church of the Annunciation 1925
23 August 1925
23/08/1925
Until the first quarter of the 20th century, the Church of the Annunciation in Birgu was still without a dome
The school in Isla starts being built 1923
17 December 1923
17/12/1923
This decision seems to have found opposition from some, so much so that it ended up coming to the attention of the Legislative Assembly.
Maltese National Anthem is played for the first time 1923
3 February 1923
03/02/1923
On Saturday, 3 February 1923, in a concert that was organised by the Għaqda Kittieba tal-Malti, the Mandolinistic Society Melita...
Celebrating the seventh centenary of the death of St Dominic 1922
25 June 1922
25/06/1922
Celebrations honouring St Dominic of Gusman's 700th death anniversary took place at Birgu's Church of the Annunciation
The MUSEUM Society opens a new centre for boys in Birgu 1921
15 October 1921
15/10/1921
The Society of Christian Doctrine, better known as MUSEUM, was founded by St George Preca in 1907.
The statue of the Bambina is crowned 1921
4 September 1921
04/09/1921
On the shore of Isla, on 4 September 1921, Archbishop Mauro Caruana crowned the titular statue of the Bambina.
Isla Parish Church becomes a Basilica 1921
3 January 1921
03/01/1921
The church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as “Our Lady of Victories”, was built in memory of the glorious victory against the Turks during the Great Siege in 1565.
One of the victims of the Sette Giugno riots was from Birgu 1919
7 June 1919
07/06/1919
Wenzu Dyer, who was born in Birgu and resided at 78, Strada Palazzo Antico Del Governatore in Vittoriosa, was one of the casualties of the Valletta riots on Sette Giugno (7th June) 1919
The Spanish Flu in Malta 1918
27 September 1918
27/09/1918
Originating in America, the flu quickly spread to Europe and eventually reached Malta.
The most memorable season for the St George’s Football Club 1916
5 November 1916
05/11/1916
Football was introduced in Malta during the time of the British in the middle of the 19th century.
Prime Minister Dominic Mintoff was born in Bormla 1916
6 August 1916
06/08/1916
He studied architecture at the Royal University of Malta and later he became a prominent political figure.
The foundation stone is laid for the new belfry at the Church of St Lawrence in Birgu 1913
3 August 1913
03/08/1913
When Lorenzo Gafà designed the facade of the Church of St Lawrence, he set aside the rule of symmetry and produced a single belfry.
King George V and Queen Mary visit Malta 1912
25 January 1912
25/01/1912
King George V was no stranger to Malta. As a young man, he served for many years under the command of his uncle, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who was stationed at Fort St Angelo.
The breakwater is handed over to the Admiralty 1909
11 October 1909
11/10/1909
The building of the breakwater was completed in 1909.
Fort St Angelo is given the name of HMS Egmont 1906
8 December 1906
08/12/1906
On 8 December 1906, Fort St Angelo passed into the hands of the Royal Navy and was given the name of HMS Egmont.
The last time Rinella's cannon was fired was during the colonial era 1905
5 May 1905
05/05/1905
The Rinella Battery, as it is more commonly known as Fort Rinella, was built in the Victorian era.
The funeral of Vice Admiral Lacon Hammet 1902
20 February 1905
20/02/1905
Vice Admiral Lacon Hammett was a Royal Navy Officer who became Admiral Superintendent of Malta Drydock.
Erin Serracino Inglott is born in Isla 1904
16 October 1904
16/10/1904
He was a Maltese playwright, poet, novelist, novel writer, lexicographer, philologist and translator.
Founder Ġulju Cauchi passes away 1904
24 April 1904
24/04/1904
Founder Ġulju Cauchi died in his home in Cospicua on 24 April 1904.
The end of HMS Hibernia 1902
14 October 1902
14/10/1902
Since 1855, it had been docked near Fort St Angelo, serving as temporary barracks for the crew of the ships that were being repaired in the Dockyard
Kalkara becomes a parish under the guidance of St Joseph 1897
10 December 1897
10/12/1897
Bishop Carmelo Scicluna accepted a request to build a new church in Kalkara on a large plot of land donated by the businessman Fortunato Gulia.
The foundation stone of the old Kalkara Church is blessed 1890
22 June 1890
22/06/1890
The building work was completed in 1895 and consecrated by Archbishop Mauro Caruana on 30 January 1921
Eugenio Borg is born in Isla 1886
24 July 1886
24/07/1886
Eugenio Borg was born in a house in Triq id-Duluri in Isla on 24 July 1886. He was the first Superior General of the Society of Christian Doctrine, also known as MUSEUM.
Mons. Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi is born in Birgu 1885
13 May 1885
13/05/1885
Mons. Mikiel Gonzi was born in Birgu on 13 May 1885 and later when he was five years old, his family moved to Kalkara.
Artist Ġanni Vella is born 1885
9 May 1885
09/05/1885
Born on May 9, 1885, in Cospicua, Ġanni Vella embarked on his artistic journey during his early years.
Società Operaria Cattolica is established in Isla by Angelo Caruana 1884
1 January 1884
01/01/1884
In the 19th century, the concept of social services and assistance by the Government was still a long way from becoming a reality.
Cospicua artist, Abram Gatt, is born 1863
4 November 1863
04/11/1863
Artist Abram Gatt was born in Bormla on 4 October 1863. He was a student of Lazzaro Pisani and Carlo Darmanin and later
Mons. Ignazio Panzavecchia is born in Isla 1855
21 November 1855
21/11/1855
He became a priest in 1879, while in 1891 he was chosen for the first time in the Government Council.
Water fountains are inaugurated throughout Cottonera 1846
22 April 1846
22/04/1846
After the water was introduced in Cottonera in 1845, the colonial government decided to build several fountains so that the locals could get water from them.
Water arrives from Fawwara to Cospicua through an aqueduct 1565
7 July 1845
07/07/1845
The aqueduct that was built to transfer water from Fawwara to Cospicua was 9 miles long.
Dun Ġwann Claudio is killed in Birgu 1840
16 December 1840
16/12/1840
From the chaos that was found in the place, it seems that the motive behind this crime was theft.
Where they found the Lord 1837
21 October 1837
21/10/1837
On the night between 18 and 19 October 1837, a ciborium filled with consecrated hosts was stolen from the Church of St Teresa in Bormla.
Bighi Naval Hospital is built 1832
24 September 1832
24/09/1832
At the request of the British Royal Navy to the Governor, in 1830, Villa Bighi and the surrounding land were given for a project to build the Bighi Hospital.
Andrea Debono is born in Isla 1821
7 November 1821
07/11/1821
He was a Maltese playwright, poet, novelist, novel writer, lexicographer, philologist and translator.
The mutiny of the Froberg Regiment in Fort Ricasoli 1807
12 April 1807
12/04/1807
The Froberg mutiny was a revolt within the British armed forces by the Froberg Regiment staged between 4 and 12 April 1807 at Fort Ricasoli.
The explosion of the Polverista in Birgu 1806
18 July 1806
18/07/1806
On 18 July 1806, 18,000 kilograms of powder that were stored in the polverista exploded. Around 200 people lost their lives, including British officers, although the largest number of victims were citizens from Birgu.
The French set up the Liberty Pole in Birgu Square 1798
10 August 1798
10/08/1798
During the French occupation of Malta, the French army erected a Liberty Pole on 10 August 1798, the day of the feast of St Lawrence, the patron saint of the city in Birgu Square (also known as Victory Square)
Artist Francesco Zahra dies 1773
19 August 1773
19/08/1773
He began his artistic career as a sculptor in his father's workshop and later trained in painting under Gio Nicola Buhagiar.
Juan Bautista Azopardo is born in Isla 1772
19 February 1772
19/02/1772
Juan Bautista Azopardo was a Maltese privateer and military man who fought under the flags of the Netherlands, Spain, and Argentina.
Archbishop Ferdinand Mattei dies 1761
14 July 1761
14/07/1761
Ferdinand Mattei became a Bishop of the Diocese of Malta on 15 May 1808
Laying of foundation stone of the Capuchin Church dedicated to St Barbara 1736
18 June 1736
19/06/1736
On 18 June 1736, Bishop Paolo Alpheran de Bussan laid the first stone of the Capuchin Church dedicated to St Barbara.
A ceremony to mark the initiation of the building of the Capuchin Convent 1736
26 April 1736
26/04/1736
The plans of the Church and of the Capuchin Convent in Kalkara were made by the Capuchin Friar Ġużepp from Isla.
The Parish Church of Cospicua is consecrated 1732
25 May 1732
25/05/1732
Work on the Parish Church of Cospicua that we see today started in the late 17th century but its construction took a long time to complete.
The Oratory of the Crucifix is inaugurated in Birgu 1724
29 February 1724
29/02/1724
The building of the Oratory of the Crucifix in Birgu dates back to the 18th century.
The Church dedicated to St Lawrence in Birgu is consecrated 1723
24 October 1723
24/10/1723
The present building of the Church of St Lawrence in Birgu dates back to the 17th century and was built on a plan by architect Lorenzo Gafà from Birgu.
Contract signed to build a new church in Bormla 1719
21 July 1719
21/07/1719
Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici served as Prime Minister of Malta from 1984 to 1987
The consecration of the Church of St Nicholas in Fort Ricasoli 1698
15 May 1698
15/05/1698
In the 17th century, Grand Master Nicolás Cotoner felt the need to have a church within Fort Ricasoli to cater to the spiritual needs of those stationed there.
The foundation stone of the Church of St Anne is laid 1679
7 May 1679
07/05/1679
The Church of the Monastery of Santa Scholastica in Birgu, dedicated to St Anne, dates to the 17th century.
Cottonera Lines construction starts 1670
28 August 1670
28/08/1670
After the Siege of Candia, Grand Master Cotoner feared that the Ottomans would turn their gaze to Malta to avenge themselves against the Knights for helping the Venetians during the fighting.
The laying of the foundation stone of Fort Ricasoli 1670
15 June 1670
15/06/1670
In 1669 Grand Master Nicolás Cotoner instructed engineer Antonio Maurizio Valperga to design a new fortress.
The foundation stone for the Santa Margherita Lines is laid 1638
30 December 1638
30/12/1638
Also known as the Firenzuola Lines, they were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to protect the land front defences of the cities of Vittoriosa and Senglea.
Chigi blesses the foundation stone for the Church of the Annunciation in Birgu 1636
23 March 1636
23/03/1636
In the 17th century, the Dominicans decided to demolish the church given to them in 1528 to build a new one.
The Teresian Missionary International is established in Cospicua 1633
2 March 1633
02/03/1633
On this day in 1633, Pope Urban VIII issued a decree through which the Teresian Monastery in Cospicua became an International Missionary College of the Teresian Order.
The Notarial Act for the building of the first Church dedicated to St Paul in Bormla 1590
13 November 1590
13/11/1590
The first small church dedicated to St Paul in the area called Maħten it-Tin in Bormla, started to be built around 1590.
The attack on Fort St Michael 1565
7 August 1565
07/08/1565
The attack lasted about nine hours and was thought to be the last assault by which the Turks would win the Siege.
The Piccolo Soccorso 1565
3 July 1565
03/07/1565
The assistance sent by the Viceroy of Sicily arrived in Malta under the leadership of Juan de Cardona on 2 July 1565.
An Ottoman fleet is spotted near Malta 1565
18 May 1565
18/05/1565
The Maltese were ordered to seek shelter in the fortifications as the Turkish fleet approached Malta
Jean de Valette is elected as Grand Master 1557
21 August 1557
21/08/1557
The Council of the Order met in Birgu, and after five hours of discussions, chose the Frenchman de Valette as the new Grand Master
Grand Master La Sengle dies 1557
18 August 1557
18/08/1557
Grand Master La Sengle was the 48th Grand Master of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, serving from 1553 until his death in 1557.
The foundation stone for Fort St Michael is laid 1552
8 May 1552
08/05/1552
In 1551, Ottoman forces attacked Malta and invaded Gozo. The whole Gozitan population was enslaved
Dominican Friars settle in Birgu 1528
4 February 1528
04/02/1528
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Dominicans were offered the old church dedicated to the Annunciation and a sizeable house