The Grand Harbour is one of the most beautiful natural ports in the Mediterranean and has been the maritime lifeline of the Maltese Islands. The Grand Harbour was the theatre where the Great Siege of Malta unfolded and was heavily bombarded during World War 2. Nowadays, the Grand Harbour is bustling with people, Cruise Liners, merchant ships and other vessels making use of the facilities in the dockyards. The harbour is surrounded by a number of towns and cities including the capital Valletta, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua (also know as the Three Cities), Marsa and Kalkara.