Time Zone |
Africa/Sao_Tome |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+0 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Time Zone |
Europe/Malta |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+2 |
São Tomé and Príncipe is an island country in west-central Africa, consisting of the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe and the surrounding islets, with the capital, São Tomé, located in the northeastern part of São Tomé. Located on the Gulf of Guinea, about 200 kilometers from the African continent, the country was colonized by Portugal in the 15th century and became independent in 1975, with Portuguese as the official language and an economy based on agriculture (cocoa, palm oil) and tourism. It should be noted that "Java" is not a city or region of the country; Java is the main island of Indonesia, with cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya, and has nothing to do with São Tomé and Príncipe, possibly due to a confusion of names.
Vittoriosa is located in the south-east of Malta and is one of the three ancient cities of the Grand Harbour, covering an area of approximately 0.5 square kilometers. Originally known as Birgu, the ancient city was awarded the title of "City of Victory" after its successful defense against the Ottoman Empire during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Its strategic location made it the first stronghold of the Knights of St. John in Malta.
Vittoriosa is famous for its medieval streets, fortresses and churches, such as the Church of St. Lawrence and the Palace of the Inquisition. The Fortress of St. Angelo, the original seat of the Order, overlooking the Grand Harbour, has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The narrow streets are lined with preserved Norman and Baroque buildings, and the Maritime Museum showcases Malta's seafaring history.
Today Vittoriosa is a popular tourist destination with waterfront restaurants, traditional bars and annual festivals. Together with Cospicua and Senglea, it forms the Three Ancient Cities, connected to Valletta by ferry, and is ideal for exploring historic sites on foot and experiencing the tranquil atmosphere of the Mediterranean coastline.