MARSAXLOKK

also called Marsa Scirocco, village, southeastern Malta. It lies along Marsaxlokk Bay, southeast of Valletta. It was the first landing place and anchorage of the Turkish fleet in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. A fortress (now housing the marine sciences laboratory of the University of Malta) was built there in the early 17th century, and its garrison drove off a later Turkish landing attempt in 1614. There are remains of extended 18th-century fortifications; the French disembarked their forces at Marsaxlokk in 1798. A fishing port, Marsaxlokk also developed as a modern seaside resort. Pop. (1985 est.) 1,716.