Although a peninsula it was referred to as Isola meaning island, the majority of its perimeter being surrounded by sea except the narrow fragment adjacent to the City of Cospicua. The local topography supplemented by the beauty of nature made Isola the favourite recreational site amongst the Knights of the Order of St John. During his reign as Grand Master, Fra Philipo Villers de l’Isle Adam planted quantities of olive trees to make this stretch of land an ideal  hunting ground. The Spanish Grand Master Fra Juan d’Homedes was fascinated by the pulchritude of the grove and as a matter of fact Casa Magistrale, the Grand’ Master’s resort was built here. He also initiated a program to fortify the peninsula. The activity of the Order’s Arsenal and fleet generated employment with many were workers seeking accommodation in this region.

         In 1553 the French Grand Master Fra Claude de La Sengle transformed this promontory into a fortified city still bearing his name, Senglea. In order to facilitate access the city was built on a grid plan ,this arrangement proved very practical and was later adopted for the construction of the Capital City of Valletta. Families were encouraged by the Grand Master to dwell in Senglea by offering land and houses at nominal prices.

       The Fort dominating the city entrance was named St Michael as it was commissioned on 8 May 1552, the Archangel’s feast day. Sheer bastion, the palaces of the Captains of the Galleys and the store which housed the chain used to block the Galley Port during the Great Siege are existing structures coupled with the Order’s naval activities.

       During the 1565 Siege Senglea was ravaged by furious attacks launched by the Muslims who failed to conquer the city. Hence this city was bestowed with the title of Invincible City. Victory was declared on 8 September, the feast day of the Nativity of Our Lady, the city’s Patron.

      In 1596 the local mariners contributed for the erection of the Church and Convent overlooking Grand Harbour dedicated to Our Lady of Safe Haven. Govemor Mayor Sir Henry F. Bourverie confiscated the convent to serve as a hospital during the 1837 plague.

     The French Occupation of 1798 brought misery and hardships on the Maltese including the inhabitants of Senglea. A number of Sengleans were accused of committing treason against France and were consequently shot. Maltese soldiers positioned on Corradino Heights bombarded French contingents stationed in Senglea, this resulted in the destruction of seventy houses in the locality. The French Control was short lived and they were forced to leave Malta in 1800.

    The British took over and gradually influenced the inhabitants’ way of living. The British Admirality confiscated the site and wharves underneath Senglea bastions facing Corradino Heights to be converted into a naval dockyard. In order to suit admirality requirements, the configuration of the said bastions was altered. Established local shipyards and shipbuilders had to move to the new port at Marsa, at that time the shipbuilding industry was undergoing a period of transition, consequently the majority of these yards became redundant. The ship yards of the Sengleans Gregorio Mirabitur and Lorenzo and Salvatore German and many others provided for the local economy. The Senglean sculptor Vincenzo Bonnici built one hundred and fifty ship figureheads in his workshops in Victory Street Senglea.

    During World War II the city was shattered by enemy air bombardments and was reduced to a mere shell, many lives and possessions were lost. The Imposing Basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Victories was destroyed during brutal air strikes such as those on HMS Illustrious berthed in French Creek on 16of January 1941. Air raids were a daily occurrence and the exodus of many Sengleans was inevitable. King George VI visited the devastated city in 1943 and perceived the catastrophe. On September 8 1943 Italy surrendered to the allies, a naval messenger delivered this news to the Parish Priest while the procession with the statue of Our Lady of Victory reached the Marina. Once again the city of Senglea established itself invincible.