(Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7)

Although there were already a number of stores on St Lawrence Wharf, in 1689 Grandmaster Carafa erected the Main Store at the far end of the wharf – annexed to the Slaves’ Prison. The Order obviously needed various stores to service its squadron as well as to provide it with the various items that it would have required.

Galley House was built on the site of St Andrew’s Church which was erected in 1524 for the spiritual benefit of fishermen. However, by 1613 this church had fallen into total neglect and had become derelict. When the Order requisitioned the site it bound itself to include an aedicule (an opening framed by two columns) with a cross in relief on the stores’ façade so that galley crews sailing out of the creek could pray for safe passage as they went past the cross.

Following the departure of the Knights in 1798, the people of Vittoriosa continued to take care of this cross until the Admiralty enclosed it in a wooden frame with shutters – which is how it has remained until this day.