Dock No. 1 - The Best Mobile Map and Guide Tool if you visit Malta!

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A general photo of Dock No. 1
Dock No. 1

The history of the Grand Harbour and shipping goes way back in time.

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Excavations on the shore have revealed megalithic (Phoenicians) remains, indicating the use of the port for 3700 years before Christ. Punic and Roman remains have also been found. Cestrum Maris / Castello del Mare was built around the 12th and 13th centuries, a defended area which is now Fort St. Angelo, which has become Birgu.

In that period the ships came from the house of Anjou to Malta and were stationed in Cestrum Maris. Repair to galleys could take place here.

In 1530 this area became home to the Knights of St. John and Birgu became the new capital of Malta. In 1776 the construction of a shipyard was started.

During the British period, William Scamp was sent to Malta in 1841 to design a dry dock facility in the Grand Harbour, which, given Malta's strategic location, was an important strong British naval base. He chose the city of Cospicua, now part of "The Three Cities".

After the demolition of historic buildings, the foundation stone was laid on 28 June 1844 and with the entry of a British warship on 5 September 1848, the dock was inaugurated.

The design of the dock and the associated buildings is symmetrical and practical. Along the dock the facades are built opposite each other, identical to each other. Behind the facades were workshops, etc. Everything that was needed for the shipping industry. A foundry and forge were also in the area. The dry dock was fenced.

The economy of Cospicua consisted of fishing and trade but changed to services to ships and repair thereof.

During the Crimean War (1853-1856) and the First World War (1914 and 1918) the shipyard was of considerable importance. The dock was enlarged in 1921.

The area was bombed considerably during the Second World War. In January 1941 there was an attack by 60 German bombers in an attempt to destroy the already damaged aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, one bomb hit the target and further damaged the ship.

In 1979 the naval base was closed and in the period 1979-1996 the dock was used for repairs of various civil ships.

The area was rehabilitated in 2014 and the two sides at the front of the dock are equipped with a steel bridge.
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This Dock No 1page is part of “The Malta Magazine”.

This magazine is for every resident and visitor to the country of Malta. But is also educational and for anyone interested in Malta.  The Malta Magazine highlights the past and present of specific subjects and/or places of interest with the help of extensive information and photos.

As a tool during your journey of discovery through Malta, you can use our information services free of charge. You can do this in two ways, via our website https://maltaguide.pro or our app depending on your operating system, Google Play or Apple Store. Both give you the same information.

“The Malta magazine” is the best, ultimate and most comprehensive magazine you can get of Malta.

The magazine is growing fast and will soon contain more than 350 interesting topics.

Find and discover interesting sights and discover the many historical secrets of the country Malta. Find all things to do and places of interest in your exploration.

“The Malta magazine” is also convenient whether you are walking, driving a car, or using the hop-on and hop-off bus trip, boat trip, etc.

“The Malta magazine” provides you with general information about the sights, Malta’s beauty, secrets, history and culture, its architecture, fortifications, etcetera and specific information as: what took place here?; When was it built and by whom?; What are the functions of all these.

“The Malta magazine” describes also religious subjects, museums, parks, places of interest, public toilets and much more useful information. Interesting texts set up by local experts and additional informative photos make this app distinctive.

“The Malta magazine” answers many questions and shows in an easy way to navigate way where the sights are located. A great landmap and citymap made specifically for you, is a great tool. You can immediately see where you are and where the sights are.

In this "Malta Magazine" you will find the location, address, opening hours and admission / entrance fee, general additional information and news about the spot.

Everything in “The Malta magazine” is easy to operate, without any knowledge and suitable for young and old.

“The Malta magazine” is free while you normally would pay for a guided tour, you may enjoy navigating through Malta on your own terms.

“The Malta magazine”  is constantly maintained about: attractions which are closed due to renovation, changed entrance fees or opening times, etc. This maintenance costs a lot of money. However, it has been decided not to include annoying advertisements. The “The Malta magazine” has no hidden costs.

The skillfielly texts are written by local experts and additional informative photos make  “The Malta magazine” information provision distinctive.
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