About Cospicua (Bormla)

Cospicua (Bormla), situated on the eastern side of the Grand Harbour in Malta, directly opposite Valletta, is a double-fortified city steeped in history. It forms part of the Cottonera region, known as The Three Cities, flanked by Senglea (Isla) to the west and Vittoriosa (Birgu) to the east. Cospicua is the largest of these three cities, with a population of 5,642 (as of Nov 2005), and was granted city status in 1722 by Grandmaster Marc Antonio Zondadari.

The history of Cospicua dates back to megalithic times, evidenced by the discovery of three megalithic structures and numerous tools and flints. It was later fortified by the Knights of Malta, with bastions constructed around the city. During the Phoenician era, Cospicua served as a harbor for their ships, and graves from this period have been unearthed throughout the town. Under Carthaginian and Roman rule, the harbor facilities were expanded, and Dockyard Creek began to see use.

In 1776, the Knights of St. John established a dockyard that became pivotal to Cospicua’s history. This dockyard played a significant role during both World Wars, extensively utilized by the British. Following Malta’s independence, the future of the dockyard became a subject of economic debate, with recent plans moving towards privatization.

Like all towns in Malta, Cospicua celebrates a religious patron, in this case, the Immaculate Conception or Virgin Mary. The residents’ devotion is evident in the Parish church dedicated to her and during the annual feast held on the 8th of December. Cospicua is renowned for its participation in the Good Friday procession, featuring notable statues, and for its artistic renditions of the ‘Last Supper’.