‘Gozo Is Losing Its Heritage’: Fort Chambray On The Verge Of Collapse And Surrounded by Waste
The iconic Gozitan historical site built in the 1750s, Fort Chambray, is on the verge of collapse, surrounded by dumped construction and waste.
Environmental NGO Għawdix has issued an urgent call for restoration of the Fortress in Gozo.
Fort Chambray is a bastioned fortress built in the 1750s by the Knights of Saint John, found in the precincts of Gozo’s Għajnsielem.
It was an important stronghold in the 18th century and was utilised during France’s invasion of Malta. It was subsequently used as a military hospital and a mental institution.
The once stronghold is now falling to pieces.
The Gozitan NGO published concerning photos of the site, sharing its concern over the “deteriorating state” of the fort.
They described the deterioration to be evident in the “badly eroded stonework, fallen bastion blocks, and extensive wall fissures”.
There also appears to be dumped construction and municipal waste in the historical site.
Although an application (PA/00841/15) for the restoration of the fortress was conditionally approved in July 2021 covering bastion walls and internal structures,“important restoration works have not yet begun”, according to the Gozitan NGO.
This delay is detrimental to the preservation of the fortress, potentially risking further abandonment and damage to the site.
The Gozitan organisation called out all responsible entities, particularly those “contractually obliged” to take the necessary steps to restore the Fortress.
Għawdix cited “geological challenges” and “prolonged neglect” as the main contributors to the “current dilapidated state”.
According to the organisation, the privatisation of the site in 2004 was “detrimental”, plunging the fortress into a state of “neglect”, subsequently “jeopardising its status as common heritage”.
“Gozo is rapidly losing its heritage”, the NGO stated, emphasising the significance of preserving Fort Chambray for the protection of the island’s history and legacy.
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