Cospicua has been inhabited since Neolithic times and its maritime facilities started around the Phoenician era circa 600 BC. Prior to the 18th century, it was known as Bormla, a name that is still in use. Its fortification walls, constructed to protect the town and its neighbours Vittoriosa and Senglea were built by the Order of the Knights of St John.

In 1722 Grand Master Marc’Antonia Zondadari declared Bormla a city and in view of its strong bastions named it Città Cospicua, with Zondadari’s wish being that Bormla grows and thrives to become a truly conspicuous city.

In 1776, the Order of St. John started to construct a dockyard, which was to play a vital role in the development of this city. During British rule in Malta, the Royal Navy made extensive use of the dockyard, particularly during the Crimean War,[3] the First World War and during the years preceding the Second World War. Cospicua, along with the rest of the area around the Grand Harbour, was heavily bombed during this last war as Malta was under siege by the Axis powers.

Cospicua is located 5km from Malta International Airport and is an ideal base from where the cultured visitor can explore the richness of our heritage, offering a unique Malta experience in the proximity of where history itself was written. Read more about the location.

The Three Cities is where the first inhabitants of Malta built the first towns, on the majestic Grand Harbour, the lifeline on important trade routes given Malta’s strategic importance in the centre of the Mediterranean.

Now, the area, which has been declared an Urban Conservation Zone due to its historic importance, is being re-vamped and re-vitalised, and the conversion of our beautiful Maltese townhouse into a chic Boutique Guesthouse is an example of how this area is moving.