Fort Chambray must be taken back and protected

Europa Nostra, the organisation that works to protect and celebrate Europe’s cultural and natural heritage, has included the British Barracks at Fort Chambray in its list of the 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites in Europe for 2026.

The British Barracks are the only surviving example of British military housing in Gozo. Built within the 18th-century fort commissioned by François de Chambray and designed by Louis François de Tigné, the site represents a rare and irreplaceable layer of Malta’s military, social and architectural history.

Yet both Government and Opposition have agreed to the demolition of up to 85 percent of these barracks to make way for intensive residential and hotel development. This residential complex is not intended to address the affordability needs of Gozitans and Maltese.

Momentum Treasurer Carmel Asciak stated, “Momentum has consistently argued that national heritage sites of strategic importance must be taken back into public ownership. We have said this clearly and consistently in the case of Manoel Island, Fort Tigné and Fort Chambray. The same principle applies to all.”

For decades, Fort Chambray has suffered neglect, privatisation, and insensitive interventions. Instead of learning from past mistakes, Malta now risks becoming the European example of how short-term speculative interests override cultural and historical responsibility.

Asciak added, “Manoel Island and Fort Tigné deserve public protection, and so does Fort Chambray. Anything less would send the message that Gozo is considered less important than Malta, and that the Gozotans are second-class citizens. This site is even more significant for Gozo, which has far fewer large-scale historic fortifications. Once lost, it cannot be recreated. Once demolished, its authenticity is gone forever.”

Momentum calls for the immediate suspension of any demolition work and for the Government to initiate steps to return Fort Chambray to public ownership.

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