Maltese fishing boats
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Our Lady of Victories Festa
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When:
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Sep 2007 (annual)
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Where:
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Ta'Liesse
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| Costs: |
free to watch
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| Opening Hours: |
2pm race starts
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On 8 September 1565, the Ottoman forces who had been besieging the Valletta, in what became known as the Great Siege, gave up and sailed home. In commemoration of this important day, a rowing regatta takes place in the Grand Harbour on what is a Maltese public holiday.
The first race was held in 1642, but has been held on a regular basis since 1878. Ta'Liesse, the area beside the Grand Harbour, is the perfect place to watch proceedings.
Our Lady of Victories is also known as the Festa of the Nativity of Our Lady or simply Victory Day. There are patron saint festivities held in the parish churches of the following towns on this day too: Naxxar, Mellieha, Senglea and Xaghra on Gozo.
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