Type Polygonal fort Open to
the public No Built 1910–1912 Address Birżebbuġa, Malta Materials Limestone, Concrete | Controlled by Private tenants Condition Intact but neglected Built by British Empire Owner Government of Malta | |
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Similar Fort Delimara, Fort San Lucian, Fort Tas‑Silġ, Saint Mark's Tower, Aħrax Tower | ||
Fort Benghisa (Maltese: Il-Fortizza ta' Bengħisa) is a polygonal fort in Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built between 1910 and 1912 by the British on high ground on the seaward face of Benghisa Point, the southern arm of Marsaxlokk Bay. It is the southernmost fortification in Malta.
Contents
It was part of a chain of fortifications intended to protect Marsaxlokk Harbour, along with Fort Delimara and Fort Tas-Silġ on Delimara point, the north arm of Marsaxlokk Bay, Fort San Lucian on Kbira point in the middle of the bay, and the Pinto and Ferretti batteries on the shores of the bay.
History
Initially, a battery called Hassan Battery was proposed at Benghisa Point. However, the design was developed into a polygonal fort in 1909. Construction started in 1910 and was completed in 1912. The fort was armed with two 6 inch and two 9.2 inch breech loading guns. The 17th-century Bengħisa Tower was demolished to clear Fort Benghisa's line of fire in 1915.
The fort has a ditched pentagonal perimeter, with the perimeter wall and parapet being built from earth excavated during the building of the ditch. The cliffs on the seaward side were also used as part of the fort's defensive perimeter. Fort Benghisa was the last polygonal fort that the British built in Malta.
The fort was rearmed prior to World War II. In the 1950s, dual purpose guns were installed but these were dismantled soon afterwards. It was finally abandoned by the British in the late 1970s.
Present day
The fort is currently in private hands and its interior is inaccessible. Part of the fort was rented in 1973 for an annual sum equivalent to €93, while other parts were rented out in 1981 and 1996 for an annual €177 and €419 respectively. The rents were renewed until 2011, when the government stopped accepting them with the intention to evict the tenants.
The fort and its environs are currently in a state of neglect, although the gatehouse and the shoreward ditch are in fair repair.