Ghawdix has issued an urgent call for the restoration of Fort Chambray in Gozo.

The NGO argued that “the privatisation of the site in 2004 has been most detrimental, allowing the fort to fall into neglect, jeopardising its status as common heritage.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the NGO said that it is “deeply concerned” about the deteriorating state of Fort Chambray, a historic fortress built in the 1750s by the Knights of Saint John.

It said that “once a stronghold providing refuge during sieges, Fort Chambray now suffers severe deterioration, evident in badly eroded stonework, fallen bastion blocks, extensive wall fissures, and dumped construction and municipal waste, as clearly evident in the photos.”Ghawdix stated that “geological challenges and prolonged neglect have contributed to the current dilapidated state of the structure, particularly impacting the West-facing bastions.”

Despite the conditional approval of the restoration application (PA/00841/15) in July 2021, covering bastion walls and internal structures, Ghawdix said “it appears that vital restoration works have not yet begun. This delay jeopardises Fort Chambray’s preservation, risking abandonment and further collapse.”Ghawdix urgently called on “all responsible entities, especially those contractually obligated, to initiate the necessary actions.”

It concluded by saying that “Gozo is rapidly losing its heritage, making the preservation of Fort Chambray critical to safeguard Gozo’s unique history and architectural legacy.”

Photos: Ghawdix

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