Fort St. Elmo and the War Museum, Valletta, Malta

Standing at the very tip of Valletta, Fort St. Elmo guards the entrances to the Grand Harbour to its east and Marsamxett Harbour to its west. The fort was built in the 1550's to counter the growing Ottoman threat. It was in fact the first fort targeted by the Ottomans during the Great Siege of 1565. Fort St. Elmo was expected to fall within a week but managed to withstand the Ottoman onslaught for almost one month. The Church of St. Anne (1552) located just as one enters the fort through the Porta del Soccorso, is where the last knights made their last stand and were slaughtered. Fort Ricasoli and Fort Tigne stand across the mouth of both harbours while Fort St. Angelo and Fort Manoel form the next line of defense in the centre of both harbours. Malta's National War Museum is located within Fort St. Elmo. Music by Albert Ketèlbey, "In a Persian Market" performed by the Ambrosian Chorus and London Promenade Orchestra.