Victoria Lines, Madliena Fort and San Giovanni's Battery

The aim of the English was to defend the Port especially when this port was the base for the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean.
During their early years in Malta the English were satisfied with the inherited bastions from the Knights of St. John but as the development of the attacks became stronger, the new defensive system had to be more effective. Therefore the fortifications were built known as the Great Fort that divides Malta from one part to another. They start from Kuncizzjoni limits of Rabat til Madliena. They are 12 kilometres long.

This project was built in 1875 under the name North West Front. In 1897 the Queen Victoria of England had her 60th birthday so for her memorial this fortifications were named after her and were given the name of Victoria Lines.

The Swieqi Local Council took part in the project of the Med Urbs (EU programme) about these fortifications so the inherited history would not be lost and for tourist attraction.

The Victoria Lines are among the most impressive fortificatioins of the British era. They were completed in 1897 and named in honour of the British Queen's Diamond Jubilee of that same year.

Fort Madliena was originally built by the British as part of the Victoria Lines defences.