Situated in Valletta and boasting magnificent views, Fort St Elmo is a treasure cove of artefacts including the sacred St Anne’s Chapel. Nestled within the fort’s grounds, this chapel stands as the oldest surviving structure, with roots tracing back to 1488.

This nugget of history was posted by the fort’s Facebook page together with a stunning image of the chapel.

Diving deep into this chapel’s history, we also came across this old photo of St Anne’s Chapel, a chapel that predates the construction of Fort St Elmo by 64 years.

Originally dedicated to St Elmo, the patron saint of mariners, the chapel underwent a transformation, eventually finding its dedication to St Anne. During the Great Siege of Malta, Ottoman forces captured Fort St. Elmo. The last-ditch defence of St. Elmo occurred during the final fight, and the Hospitallers were able to gain time in their remaining strongholds of Senglea and Birgu thanks to the St. Elmo defence.

During Giovanni Paolo Lascaris' magistracy in the middle of the 17th century, the chapel was restored, and its interior was decorated. This is when it originally took on its current arrangement. The chapel is included in the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands and was scheduled as a Grade 1 monument in 2008. Between 2012 and 2015, it was renovated as part of a larger restoration project for the entire fort.

This snippet of history offers a fascinating glimpse into the layers of time encapsulated within the fort's walls, showcasing the evolution of its structures and the rich tapestry of religious and maritime significance embedded in its foundations.

Have you ever been to Fort St Elmo?