Fort Chambray
| Fort Chambray | |
|---|---|
| Mġarr, Gozo, Malta | |
 | |
| Fort Chambray as seen from Marfa, Malta. | |
| Type | Coastal fortification |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Demolished in the 1990s, the bastions and some barracks remain |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1758 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
Fort Chambray was a fort situated in the precincts of Għajnsielem, on the island of Gozo, Malta. This fortress was built in the area of Ras it-Tafal which is situated between the port of Mġarr and that of Xatt l-Ahmar. It is named after Bailiff Jacques François de Chambray, who was Governor of Gozo from 1749 to his death in 1756.
In its 250-year life, the fort experienced only one brief military adventure. In 1798, it was Gozo's defence against the revolutionary forces of Napoleon. During the remaining years of the Knights' rule in Malta, the fortress never experienced any attack mainly due to the decline of the Berber and Turkish marauders. During the first four decades of British rule, the Fort's importance diminished. It was in fact abandoned for several years but found a new lease of life when several British regiments were stationed there during the Crimean War and the First World War.
Most of the fortress, except for its outer bastions and the Knights barrack, was destroyed in the 1990s in order to make way for a small village. The project was later abandoned but restarted under Dr. Michael Caruana who has created a unique development of which phase one and two is completed. Phase three has recently received outline planning permission.
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Coordinates: 36°01′21″N 14°17′40″E / 36.02250°N 14.29444°E