Senglea

Senglea, also known as Città Invicta, is a fortified city in the Port Region of Malta. It is one of the Three Cities in the Grand Harbour area, along with Cospicua and Vittoriosa. With around 2,720 people, Senglea is very small but very crowded, making it the second most crowded place on the island after Sliema.

The city got its name from Grand Master Claude de la Sengle, who built it. It is called Città Invicta, meaning "invincible city," because it successfully resisted an Ottoman invasion during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

Senglea was once part of a place called Birmula. When the order of St John arrived in Malta, they planned to build three cities there. They started with Senglea, then built Vittoriosa and Cospicua. The surrounding land was named Cottonera and protected by strong walls called the Cottonera lines. People in Senglea speak a special way of talking called the Cottonera dialect.

History

Senglea has a rich history dating back to the time of the Knights of St. John, when it was used as a hunting area and called L'Isola di San Giuliano. The first building there was St. Julian's church, founded in 1311. In 1552, construction began on Fort St. Michael, which was completed the following year. The area became a walled town and was named after Grand Master Claude De La Sengle, who gave it city status.

Senglea played a key role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 and was never conquered, earning the title Civitas Invicta, meaning "Unconquered City." It became a parish in 1581. During the Second World War, the city faced heavy bombings that destroyed many buildings. A new Basilica was consecrated in 1957, and in 1994, Senglea formed its first Local Council. Today, Senglea continues to be an important part of Malta's history.

Culture

Senglea is well-known for its statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer, found in the oratory of the basilica dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary. The city also has a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus, called "Our Lady of the Centre." This statue was placed in the city center during a difficult time as a sign of thankfulness.

The local band club is named "Socjeta' Filarmonika La Vincitrice." The city's semi-professional football team, Senglea Athletic, was formed in 1934.

Population

Senglea had a population of 2,408 in July 2024. This included 1,270 males and 1,138 females, with 2,007 Maltese nationals and 401 foreign nationals.

Senglea is Malta's smallest locality, covering just over half a square mile, but it is also the most crowded. Around the early 1900s, it had more than 8,200 people, making it the most crowded town in Europe at the time. During the Second World War, many people moved away for safety and did not return. Recently, improvements to the Cottonera Waterfront have attracted many foreign visitors and business people.

Transport

Senglea is connected to the capital city of Valletta by bus services. Before buses were introduced in the early 20th century, boats were used to travel between the two cities. In July 2011, boat services were started again after people said that the bus trips were too slow, following a new bus network by Arriva.

Notable people

Senglea has been home to many interesting people throughout history. Francesco Zahra was a painter known for his work on Malta's churches. Juan Bautista Azopardo helped start the navy of Argentina in 1810. Giorgio Mitrovich was a politician who fought for better freedoms and rights for Maltese people in the 1830s.

Other notable figures include Louis Shickluna, a shipbuilder from Canada who built over 140 ships. Andrea Debono explored rivers in Africa, including the River Nile and the Sobat River. Ignazio Panzavecchia was a priest and politician who turned down a chance to become Prime Minister of Malta in 1921. Mauro Inguanez served as a priest and librarian. John F. Marks was a key political figure who helped create May Day in Malta in 1926. Gigi Gauci was a founding member of the Malta Labour Party. Charles Clews and Charles Thake were both well-known actors, and Lina Brockdorff was a writer, playwright, and radio broadcaster.