Experts from Europa Nostra have today issued a statement on the ”European Architectural, Cultural and Historical Significance” of the British Barracks at Fort Chambray, Gozo, Malta, selected among Europe’s 7 Most Endangered heritage sites for 2026.

The experts warned that the demolition of the British Barracks at Fort Chambray would result in ”the irreversible loss of a unique heritage asset with no meaningful equivalent elsewhere in the Mediterranean.”

The statement, by Graham Bell and Christopher Hurst of Europa Nostra, was prepared following an urgent mission to Malta last May, prompted by the recent decision of the Maltese authorities to approve the demolition of the site.

The statement concluded that the British Barracks are of ”outstanding European architectural, cultural and historical significance.” It highlights their evidential value as an ”exceptionally well-preserved component of Fort Chambray and of Europe’s military heritage; their architectural value as a rare example of Anglo-Maltese colonial design; their historical and societal value through their roles in military and civilian healthcare; and their symbolic importance within Gozo’s cultural landscape.”

The statement is the outcome of meetings and consultations held during the mission at Fort Chambray, as well as in Valletta, organised in the framework of the 7 Most Endangered Programme, run by Europa Nostra with the support of the European Investment Bank Institute.

One of the programme’s key interventions is an expert mission, during which an international team of specialists visits the site, engages with the relevant stakeholders, and prepares an independent expert assessment to support the safeguarding of the threatened heritage.

The statement can be read in full by clicking here.

It was in February this year that Fort Chambray’s British Barracks was named one of the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe for 2026.

The listing is the result of a nomination submitted by Din l-Art Helwa, the National Trust for Malta. The 7 sites were selected by the Board of Europa Nostra from among the shortlisted fourteen cases of heritage at risk previously selected by an international Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme. A Site Under Immediate Threat

DLH explained that the British Barracks, a 19th iconic building within the Knights-era Fort Chambray, faces imminent and irreversible damage. The Barracks was the first overseas married quarters in the Commonwealth built during the colonial period. It was later used as a hospital during the Gallipoli and Salonika campaigns during World War I.

In May, Din l-Art Helwa condemned the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT) ruling on Fort Chambray and called for the ”immediate resignation of the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage.”

Din l-Art Helwa was the lead appellant against the development permits at Fort Chambray, had expressed its ”utter dismay and indignation” at the decision just handed down by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT).

”By confirming the permits that allow the dismantling and demolition of most of the historic British Barracks and the construction of a massive development inside the fort’s walls, the Tribunal has dealt a grievous blow to Malta’s military and architectural heritage,” stated DLH.

File photo: British Barracks AdobeStock Karina Movsesyan

 

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