In the Steps of the Great Siege - FAA Walk and Boat Tour

On Saturday 23 May 2015 FAA is organising a boat and walking tour of Vittoriosa - In the Steps of the Great Siege – in collaboration with Birgu Local Council, which will include a harbour crossing in a dgħajsa - a traditional Maltese boat, and a guided walking tour along some of the most significant sites in Birgu.

Participants will leave from Barrier Wharf by the old Customs House in Valletta in two groups: the first one leaving at 3:00pm and the other at 3:30pm, to cross the Grand Harbour by boat and disembark at the Sally Port in Birgu.

The guided tour of this historic town will include visits to St Lawrence Parish which at the time of the Knights was the Conventual Church of the Order, St John's Cavalier, the Post of Castille – the bastion that saw one of the bloodiest battles of the siege, the chapel of the Parish Museum where the sword and hat of Grand Master de Valette are exhibited, and the Collachio. Our route will also take us by the sites of the Monastery of Santa Skolastika which was the first hospital of the Order in Malta, St James' Cavalier, the 'Brexxa' and Birgu ditch. Visits into these latter sites are not possible as they are presently undergoing restoration while the Santa Skolastika nuns are on a spiritual retreat.

This tour will end with refreshments at the Auberge de France, premises of the Birgu Local Council, and a return boat ride to Valletta where the first group will leave at 5:30pm and the second group at 6:00pm.

Comfortable shoes, light clothing, protective hats, sunscreen, and water are recommended.

It would be appreciated if participants arrive 20 minutes before scheduled time at Valletta Barrier Wharf.

Those who are interested to join us in this tour are reminded that this is open only to FAA members; to become a member of FAA please go to http://faa.org.mt/membership/

Participation fee: €20.00 inclusive of refreshments, boat trip and guide. To book please go to https://ticketengine.faa.org.mt/

Due to space limitations two tours will be held on the same afternoon.

See below for departure times and kindly book accordingly.

Meeting point: Valletta Barriera Wharf

Tour 1

Meeting time 2:45 pm

Departure time 3:00 pm

Return time: 5:30 pm

Tour 2

Meeting time 3:15 pm

Departure time 3:30 pm

Return time: 6:00 pm