Bormla from Bir-Mula: The well of the Lord. In1722 Grand master Zondadari declared it a city and in view of its strong bastions named it Citta Cospicua. In 1776 the Order of St. John started to construct a dock. This was the turning point in Cospicua's history, as from then on Cospicua became known for its docks.Cospicua or Bormla, as it is known in Maltese, the largest of the Three Cities forming Cottonera (Cospicua-Vittoriosa-Senglea). Across the Grand Harbour. Being in the target area  around the Malta Dockyard was severely hit during the Second World War. It's outer defenses, (bastions) the Cottonera Lines, are worth visiting. The opulence of it's Church of the Immaculate Conception has to be seen to be believed.