On the 14th of March, our team took part in a guided tour of Fort Delimara organised by Heritage Malta and sponsored by ISL for employees. During the tour, we gained valuable insight into one of the island’s most intriguing and perhaps underappreciated historic sites.
A Victorian Fortress with a Strategic Mission
Perched on the Delimara Peninsula overlooking Marsaxlokk Bay, Fort Delimara is a Victorian‑era fort built by the British Empire between 1876 and 1878. Its purpose was simple but vital at the time – to protect the entrance to the harbour from hostile warships during an era when naval power still ruled the seas.
Furthermore, the fort spans a large area and was part of a coastal defence ring that included Fort Tas‑Silġ and Fort San Luċjan. Its polygonal shape, deep dry ditches and strong casemates reflect the military thinking of the day.
Massive Artillery
One of the standout features of Fort Delimara, and a highlight of the visit, (well, for me at least) was the original artillery still in place. These are:
38‑ton rifled muzzle‑loading (RML) guns, huge pieces of artillery designed to fire heavy projectiles over long distances. Originally six such guns were installed to cover the approaches to the bay.
Four of these remain in situ today – making them some of the last of their kind in the world still on their original carriages and platforms.
Additionally, what made these giants remarkable was their cost: while the fort cost around £22,000, each gun was about £7,000, so the artillery together cost roughly twice as much as the fort.
Though designed to deter enemy fleets, these powerful weapons were never used in combat and only fired sparingly for training, their silent presence now evoking the tense strategic climate of the late 19th century.
The Pig Farm Era
After the military decommissioned the fort in the 1950s, it entered one of its most unusual chapters. In 1975, a local farmer leased the site, and for about 25 years, he ran a pig farm at Fort Delimara.
Fortunately, the hardy limestone structure endured. The farm eventually closed, and in 2005, Heritage Malta took over the fort and has been gradually restoring and securing it ever since.
Breathtaking Views to End the Tour
As we wrapped up our tour, we paused to take in the stunning panoramic views from the fort’s ramparts. From the Delimara Peninsula, Marsaxlokk Bay stretches out to the Mediterranean, the modern Delimara Power Station rises in the distance, and the rugged coastline that has guarded Malta for centuries unfolds before us.
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