Fort Chambray

A second Valletta that never was

By the mid-18th century, the Citadel in Victoria was an outdated fortress, incapable of defending Gozo against modern artillery. A French knight, Jacques François de Chambray, proposed an ambitious plan: build an entirely new fortified city on the hill above Mġarr harbour. It was to be a second Valletta — with a church, barracks, storehouses, and housing for civilians. Grand Master Pinto de Fonseca approved the project in 1749.

A fortress without a city

Chambray partly funded the construction from his own pocket. The mighty bastions and curtain walls rose relatively quickly, but money ran out before any buildings could be erected inside the walls. The fort was completed as an empty fortress — impressive walls surrounding almost nothing. Gozitans refused to leave their villages to settle inside the fort, so the plan to populate it never materialised.

Hospital and oblivion

The British found a practical use for the fort: in the 19th century they established a military hospital here, and later a psychiatric hospital that operated until 1992. After the hospital closed, the fort fell into disrepair. In the early 21st century, part of the site was converted into a residential development and holiday apartments, sparking controversy among heritage defenders.

Practical tip: The fort walls are freely accessible from outside and offer excellent views of Mġarr harbour and the channel between Gozo and Comino. The fort is located just above the ferry terminal.