The small island state of Malta has long been a coveted trophy of all the great empires: Rome and Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire and the Arab Caliphate. Located at the intersection of the sea routes of Europe, Asia, and Africa, it needed protection from intruders and invaders. Thus, a white-stone fortification, the exact date of the foundation of which is still unknown, was erected on the territory of the modern city of Birgu.

Some historians claim that there was a powerful fortress on this site even during the Roman Empire. Throughout its existence, it was constantly under construction until the XI century, when the observation tower was erected. At that time, the military fortification had the same name as today – Fort St. Angelo (Forti Sant'Anġlu). In the XIV century, it was the residence of local feudal lords, and the fort received a new name - the Sea Castle. Later, the Spanish King Charles V gave these lands to the Order of Malta, which leases the modern fortress to this day. In the 16th century, the order turned it into a formidable military fort that could withstand a heavy siege by the Ottoman warriors. A couple of centuries later, the British raised their flag on the island, and rename the impregnable "defender". This time it was named after the ship of the British Navy – Egmont. But a few years later, the Maltese fort regained its former name of St. Angelo and never changed it again.

The stone walls of the majestic fort survived the events of two world wars and withstood about 70 powerful blows with dignity. After that, this monument of military architecture became the property of the Maltese government, and it continues to belong to it to this day. The upper half of the fort is leased to the modern Knights of Malta, while the other part is occupied by the collections of the National War Museum.