The Verdala Story

From Fortress to School

St Margaret College Secondary School, Verdala, stands on one of Malta’s most remarkable historic sites. Long before students filled its classrooms and corridors, this land formed part of an important system of fortifications that witnessed the Knights of St John, the French occupation, British rule and both World Wars.

Today, Verdala continues its story as a place of education—preserving its extraordinary past while inspiring future generations.

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A Story Written in Stone

Verdala’s history can be traced back to the time of the Great Siege of 1565, when the hill served as a strategic vantage point overlooking the Grand Harbour.

On 30 December 1638, Grand Master Jean Paul Lascaris laid the first stone of the Firenzuola Lines. These fortifications later became known as the Santa Margherita Lines. Verdala Gate, situated opposite the present school entrance, is the oldest surviving part of these walls.

Construction continued for almost a century:

• 1638: The first stone of the Firenzuola Lines was laid.

• 1670: Work began on the Cottonera Lines under Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner.

• 1697: Grand Master Perellos continued work on the Margherita Lines.

• 1720: Grand Master Zondadari continued the project.

• 1736: The Margherita Lines were finally completed under Grand Master Vilhena.

Did you know?

It took approximately 98 years to complete the Margherita Lines.

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The French Period

In June 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte arrived in Malta with a large fleet. Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch surrendered shortly afterwards.

The Maltese revolted against the French in September 1798. During the following blockade, French forces positioned guns along the Cottonera Lines, close to the area below the school’s present football field.

The French occupation ended when they surrendered in September 1800.

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The Victorian Fortress of Verdala

Following the Treaty of Paris in 1814, Malta officially became part of the British Empire.

In 1853, the British constructed Verdala Barracks behind the old Verdala Gate. They also built a new gate leading towards Cospicua, decorated with the Royal Coat of Arms.

Construction of Fort Verdala began in 1854. The fortress is believed to have been designed by Major General Sir George Judd Harding. The work was carried out by members of the Royal Sappers and Miners and continued until approximately 1860.

Two sets of high walls were built between Verdala Barracks and St Clement’s Bastion. The land between them was levelled to make space for new military buildings.

The fortifications included:

• 384 rifle slits

• Casemates for cannons

• Underground tunnels

• Gunpowder and ammunition stores

• Large emergency water tanks

Verdala eventually became one of the principal powder stores for Britain’s Mediterranean Fleet. The main water tank beneath the present school playground is believed to hold more than one million gallons of water. It was designed to flood the ammunition stores in the event of a fire.

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Regiments at Verdala

Several British regiments were stationed at Verdala between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their presence can still be traced through military badges carved into parts of the buildings.

These regiments included:

• 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire

• 1st Battalion South Staffordshire

• 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Signallers

• 2nd Battalion Connaught Rangers

• Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

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Verdala During World War I

During World War I, Verdala Barracks became a prisoner-of-war camp. German, Austrian, Egyptian and Turkish prisoners were held in Malta, with a number of important German naval officers imprisoned at Verdala.

Among the most notable prisoners were:

• Karl Dönitz, who later became Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy

• Captain Karl Friedrich Max von Müller, captain of the German warship SMS Emden

• Prince Franz Josef von Hohenzollern

Security at the camp was initially quite flexible. However, it became much stricter after two prisoners escaped and British authorities discovered that naval movements in the Grand Harbour were being recorded and communicated outside the camp.

The windows overlooking the harbour were consequently barred and covered.

In 1920, Verdala also became home to a number of White Russian officers who had opposed the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War.