Vittoriosa (pop. 4,000) is the second oldest town in Malta. Under the name of Birgu, which it bore before the Great Siege of 1565, it was already known in ancient times. The Phoenicians built a temple here, the remains of which are overlaid by the ruins of a Roman temple. Originally the pan of Malta's former inland capital, Median, Birgu was
already protected by modest fortifications before the coming cribs Knights. Dating from the Aragonese period, these were strengthened in the time of the Grand Master, Juan de Homedes (1536-63); the bastions of Fort St Angelo were built, separated from the town by a moat with a drawbridge. Thanks to this felt, together with Fort St Elmo on the opposite side of the harbor and the neighboring Fort St Michael, the Knights were able to beat off the Turkish attack.
Birgu then became the Headquarters of the Order, previously in Mdina. From the period of the Knights there remain a number of auberges (inns), the Inquisitor's Palace and St Lawrence's Church, the first conventual church of the Order The church contains the award and hat of the Grand Master, La Valette, founder of Valletta.
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