When the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta, in the 16th century, they decided to settle in Vittoriosa and Fort St. Angelo became their first residence. In 1608, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, came to Malta as he was being chased by some Italians for a murder he had committed in Rome. During his short stay, he was commissioned by Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt to paint the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. To show appreciation, the Grand Master knighted the artist for his masterpiece. For some reason Caravaggio had problems with the Maltese authorities and was imprisoned in the dungeons of Fort St. Angelo. He managed to escape after a few days, leaving the island unnoticed.
Fort St. Angelo served as the headquarters of the British Royal Navy in the 19th century. Today parts of the Fort are leased to the Order of St. John and other parts of the premises are used as a maritime museum.
Fort St. Angelo is a magnificent architectural gem on the Vittoriosa waterfront. Lupanara, run by Glenn Beddingfield and Ivan Deidun, is a wine bistro situated in the Fort's dungeons which forms part of the recently developed waterfront marina. It was expertly restored and converted into a cosy and friendly wine bar while retaining its original features. Lupanara was so called after the wine tavernas surrounding Pompeii in Roman times. It is a welcoming place for those who have a good taste for Mediterranean food complemented by a selection of international award winning wines, whilst enjoying breathtaking views of the sea.
Attard & Co. Foodstuffs Ltd. together with Glenn Beddingfield and Ivan Deidun, have once again held a wine tasting event at Lupanara, promoting Terredora di Paolo's Varietal Selection ‘Lachryma Christi' red and white wine. Terredora di Paolo originated from the region of Campania in Southern Italy and since 1978 they have been Campania's largest wine producers. They belief that good quality wine can be achieved from the terrain, the varieties and the ability to work with nature. In fact in 1994 they started to vinify their own grapes. Lachryma Christi white is a straw like yellow wine made from Coda di Volpe. It has rich and intense scents of fruit and liquorice and it is soft and well structured. For those who prefer red wine, Lachryma Christi red is made from Piedirosso. It has an intense fruity aroma with hints of mineral and cloves. It is soft, elegant and has pleasant tones of mature red fruits and hints of tobacco, coffee and ground pepper.
Terredora di Paola is an award winner of various wine competitions worldwide.
