Film: Gladiator (2000)

Guardian of Grand Harbour

Fort Ricasoli stands at the entrance to Grand Harbour, opposite Fort St. Elmo, together forming the harbour's "gate". Built in 1670 to a design by engineer Antonio Maurizio Valperga, it was the largest fortification built by the Knights of Malta outside Valletta itself. The fort was designed to protect the eastern harbour entrance, which during the Great Siege of 1565 had proved a weak point in the defence.

Ridley Scott's Colosseum

In 2000, Ridley Scott chose Fort Ricasoli as the location for "Gladiator". Inside the fort, a replica of the upper section of the Roman Colosseum was built at 1:1 scale for one third of the circumference, with the rest added digitally. Russell Crowe as Maximus fought gladiators and tigers right here. Parts of the set stood in the fort for years after filming wrapped.

Europe's film capital

Fort Ricasoli is Malta's most frequently filmed location. Besides Gladiator, scenes for "Troy" (2004, with Brad Pitt), "Assassin's Creed" (2016), Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" (2023), and many others were shot here. The nearby Mediterranean Film Studios (in the water) complement the fort's land-based locations.

Practical tip: The fort is not regularly open to tourists (used by the Malta Film Commission). You can see it from outside, walking along the Kalkara waterfront. Best views from the Valletta-Three Cities ferry or Upper Barrakka Gardens.