Pembroke's origins are military. This residential area near Paceville started life as British barracks built in typical colonial style. When the British forces left Malta in the 1970s, the area was used for local housing and has since expanded with the building of modern, spacious villas. Military history here dates back even early, to the time of the Knights of St John. They built Madliena Tower as part of their line of coastal watchtowers. And it was the Knights who first devised the plan to build a line of fortifications along the natural fault running east-west across Malta. The plan was enacted by the British in the late 19th century and resulted in the Victoria Lines. Fort Pembroke is the last of the four forts along these lines. Pembroke Battery, one of two from British times, still stands and is being restored. The roads in Pembroke bear names such as Anzio, Alamein and Normandy - all reminiscent of British military activity in World War II. The barracks which remain have a certain charm. Look out for the graceful Pembroke and Sandhurst Clock Towers.