Fort Chambray is a fort located in the outskirts of Ghajnsielem. It was built in the mid-18th century by the Order of Saint John, in an area known as Ras it-Tafal, between the port of Mgarr and the bay of Xatt l-Ahmar (Red Shore). The fort was meant to be the citadel of a new city which was to replace the Cittadella as the island's capital, but this plan never materialized, mainly because the threat from the Ottoman Empire and the Barbary pirates had subsided, so Gozitans felt safe living in rural areas.
Fort Chambray saw its first use during the French invasion of Malta in June 1798. When the French landed on Gozo, many inhabitants took refuge within Chambray, bringing their livestock with them. The fort initially offered some resistance, but the people surrendered after a French general ordered the garrison to surrender. The Gozitans who had taken refuge returned to their homes with their cattle.
Malta and Gozo came under British rule in the beginning of the 19th century, and as a result Fort Chambray was then taken over by a British garrison. By 1830, a small military hospital had been established and hundreds of wounded soldiers were treated there. The military gave up the fort in 1916, and from 1934-1983 it was used as a civilian mental hospital, housing up to 200 patients. A section of the fort was also used as a leprosarium between 1937-1956, under the name of Sacred Heart Hospital. Throughout the years that the fort was used as a hospital, three cemeteries were built, one within the fort and two in the ditches.
Unfortunately, the fort is currently being restored and redeveloped as a luxury accomodation.
Congrats to amyskie and krisgre - FTF!
Fort Chambray:
View on a windy day:
To go to cache location:
- One can walk to it from Mgarr. It's mostly uphill and takes around 15-20 minutes.
- Or one can catch the 301 or 323 bus from Mgarr or Victoria and stop at bus stop 'Chambray'. Then a 5 minute walk will take you to GZ.
It would be nice to upload a photo with the cache :)
Note: take care not to walk too close to the edge, and please leave cache hidden as you found it.
