Senglea

in 1565 by Calvert Jones During the time of the Knights of St. John, Senglea was also used as a hunting area, and was known as ''L'Isola di San Giuliano''. In 1311 St. Julian's church or chapel was founded in Isola. This was the first building to be constructed on what later became Senglea. On 8 May 1552 the foundation stone of Fort St. Michael was laid. Work on the fort, which was designed by Architect Pedro Pardo, was completed in 1553. Construction of walled town Senglea took place during the following decade. The area, which had until the 1550s been known as Isola di San Giuliano or Isola di San Michele, was given city status by Grand Master Claude De La Sengle and was named after him. Senglea played an important role in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565 and remained unconquered. The city was given the title Civitas Invicta (meaning "Unconquered City") by Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette. In 1581 Senglea became a Parish dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady. The donation of the statue of Our Lady, popularly known as "Il-Bambina", is estimated to have occurred in 1618. Thousands of inhabitants of the city were killed in a plague epidemic in 1676. The parish church was bestowed with the title of Basilica by Pope Benedict XV in 1921. Senglean-born Ignazio Panzavecchia was elected as the first Prime Minister of Malta in the first Self Government Constitution in the same year. Because of his ecclesiastical status he decided not to take up the position. Following Panzavecchia's refusal Joseph Howard was appointed as Prime Minister. King George VI visited the devastated city on 20 June 1943. The newly built Basilica was consecrated by Archbishop Sir Mikiel Gonzi on 24 August 1957. The following day the Basilica resumed its normal functions after almost 16 years and the statue of Marija Bambina was placed inside its new "temple" amongst huge celebrations. Pope John Paul II visited Senglea in May 1990. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Luftwaffe bombing of the city, a monument which honours the local victims of both World Wars was unveiled besides the Basilica on 5 September 1991. The first Local Council of Senglea was formed after an election on 3 March 1994. The first mayor of the city was Stephen Perici. In 2010 Senglea won a European Destinations of Excellence award for aquatic tourism. ==Culture==

Senglea is particularly famous for the statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer (Ir-Redentur tal-Isla), located in the oratory of the basilica which is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary (Marija Bambina). The city's semi-professional football team Senglea Athletic was formed in 1934 to replace the defunct Senglea United side. ==Population==

The population of Senglea was 2,408 in July 2024. This included 1270 males and 1138 females; 2007 Maltese nationals and 401 foreign nationals. Its population stood at 2,821 as of March 2013, and this decreased to 2,784 in March 2014. ==Transport==

Senglea is linked to the capital city of Valletta by a network of bus services. Prior to their introduction in the early 20th century, the cities were connected by boat services. In July 2011, following the introduction of a new bus network by Arriva, boats between the two locations were restarted in response to complaints that bus journeys were too slow. ==Notable people==

• Francesco Zahra (1710–1773), painter who worked on many churches in Malta • Juan Bautista Azopardo (1772–1848), founder of the Argentinian Navy in 1810 • Louis Shickluna (1808–1880), shipbuilder whose shipyards in Canada constructed over 140 ships between 1838 and 1880 • Andrea Debono (1821–1871), explorer of both the River Nile and the Sobat River in Africa • Charles Clews (1919–2009), actor and comedian • Anthony Perici (1920–2010), politician, first full-time Mayor of Twinsburg, Ohio • Charles Thake (1927–2018), actor • Lina Brockdorff (1930–2026), writer, playwright and radio broadcaster ==Twin towns – sister cities==

Senglea is twinned with: • Cassino, Italy • Zarasai, Lithuania ==Gallery==

File:Malta 11 Great Harbour.jpg|A view of Senglea from the Grand Harbour File:Senglea Point.JPG|Senglea Point File:Fort St. Michael at Malta (sunset).jpg|View of Senglea from the Upper Barrakka Gardens File:Gardjola Garden, Senglea.jpg|Gardjola Garden File:Gardjola (The Spur) seen from the harbour.jpg|The Gardjola, Senglea File:Senglea Basilica Interior.jpg|Inside Senglea's Basilica File:Il-Malta2.JPG|Senglea Feast - Il-Malta File:Festa2.JPG|Senglea Feast - Marija Bambina File:Regatta2008.JPG|The Regatta, Senglea's most popular sport File:Senglea - panoramic view towards Valetta, Malta - 2016.jpg|Panoramic view at sunset from Senglea towards Valletta File:View of Senglea.jpg|View of Senglea from Valletta ==References==