Siege Bell Memorial / Bell Monument
Tiny Malta, during its long history, has endured many attacks and sieges. Of course, its strategical position in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, made it a soft target for pirates, slave traders and powers with imperialistic aspirations. King George VI awarded Malta the St George Cross, for its endurance, suffering and bravery during the WWII.
The St George Cross is positioned in the pole side of the Maltese flag and reads: 'For gallantry'. Queen Elisabeth II, fifty years after her father had awarded Malta the St George Cross, came to Malta in 1992 and together with the President of Malta, H.E. Dr Cencu Tabone, she inaugurated the Siege Bell Memorial.
The designer of this monument is Michael Sandis. His creation stands on the end of the St Lazarus Curtain, adjacent to the Lower Barrakka Gardens. This belfry is designed as an oval neo-classical temple with columns, and its 10-tonne bell is rung daily at noon. The reclining figure in bronze commemorates the many victims of WWII and symbolises the sea burial of an unknown soldier.
Opening hours | Daily: Circa 7:30 until dusk |
Ticket / admission fee | |
everyone | Free |
Additional Online information
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Additional information
Entrance to the war monument
The bell weigh 10 tons and has a diameter of 264 cm.
On a bronze catafalque (elevation) the unknown soldier laid out.
