Cospicua, the largest of the three cities, is known as Bormla to most people in Malta. The city is also known as Cospicua (i.e. the Conspicuous) because of the role it played during the siege of 1565. Most of Cospicua's shoreline is taken by the Drydocks, Malta's largest industrial enterprise.

The city suffered substantial war damage, and the majority of its inhabitants abandoned their houses at the outbreak of the War. A good number of these have now returned. The hundreds of wrecked homes have been rebuilt and the city today numbers a population of about 8,000.

The collegiate church of the Immaculate Conception is the chief monumental building of this city. It is rich in treasure and an exquisite work of art. The first church on the site dates back to 1584. That was enlarged in 1637 and again in later years, until it was finally completed and consecrated in 1732 Pope Pius VII conferred 'Collegiate' status to the Church in 1828. It is said that the statue of the immaculate Conception dates from 1600 and that it was sculpted in wood by Sr. Maria De Domenicis, a Carmelite nun. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on 8th December.

Modern Cospicua is an important market centre in the heart of dockland.