[3] On 23 June 1565, during the Great Siege of Malta, Fort St Elmo fell to Ottoman troops.

During the final battle its defenders made a last stand within the chapel, and the defence of St Elmo bought time for the Hospitallers in their remaining strongholds of Birgu and Senglea.

[4] The chapel was repaired and its interior was embellished in the mid-17th century during the magistracy of Giovanni Paolo Lascaris,[1] and its present configuration dates back to this period.

[3] The chapel was scheduled as a Grade 1 monument in 2008[1] and it is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.

[7] Its façade is narrow and consists of a door and window within the fortification walls[1] close to a gate known as the Porta del Soccorso.