Fortification · Knights of St John
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
Valletta · 1552; Great Siege 1565
Last verified: 1 October 2026
The star fort at the tip of the Valletta peninsula that fell after a month-long assault in 1565; now houses the National War Museum covering Malta's military history to World War II.
- Admission (as published)
- Adults €10.00; concessions €7.50
- Official website
- heritagemalta.mt/explore/fort-st-elmo-national-war-museum
In the timeline
May–September 1565
The Great Siege
An Ottoman force besieges the Knights and the Maltese for nearly four months; Fort St Elmo falls but the siege is lifted on 8 September, now Victory Day.
Located in Valletta
Source: Heritage Malta — Sites and museums (opening hours and admission). Opening hours and admission last verified 01 Oct 2026; they change seasonally and on public holidays.
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