tempts another attraction. Those who planned their vacation on the island on the first weekend of April 2025 will have the opportunity to visit Fort Monel. The fortress recognized as a masterpiece of baroque war architecture rarely opens its gates to the audience.
Fort Manoel in Malta. History
Fort Manoel has been dominated by the Marsamxett port on the island of Manoel for centuries, located near the city of Gżira. This is a place that combines history, art and contemporary tourist attraction, equally attracting lovers of history, series and enthusiasts of beautiful views. Fort Manoel was built in the years 1723–1733 by the Malta Order, during the rule of the Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhen, from whom the name of the fort comes. The fortress had a strategic task – protect the Marsamxett port and Sliema Creek anchor from potential attacks. In 1800, it was taken over by the British and used it as a military base until 1964. The fort suffered a lot during World War II, but after renovation it regained its former splendor. Today, Fort Manoel is considered a masterpiece of baroque war architecture and one of the most important monuments of Malta. It attracts crowds of tourists from around the world. Wandering the walls of the fortress, you can admire impressive bastions such as St. Helen, St. Anthony, St. John and Notre Dame, which create a characteristic shape of the star. Particularly noteworthy are: parade square and arcades, which once accompanied as many as 500 soldiers. In the center of the fortress there is a chapel dedicated to St. Antoni from Padua – a real pearl in this architectural team. According to legends, the fort is visited by a black knight. A ghost reminding the Grand Master of De Vilhena was to appear near the chapel of St. Antoni, after this was bombed during World War II. Robbing workers claimed that the black knight “supervised” their work. When the crypt under the cathedral was restored and the remains of the knights were buried, the ghost disappeared. She appeared again in 1980, when the crypt was devastated again.
A symbolic place from “Game of Thrones” open to tourists. The baroque pearl will only be available to the public for one day
Fort Manoel gained additional popularity thanks to the series “Game of Thrones”. It was here that one of the most dramatic scenes of the first season was shot. The fortress was presented as a great sept Baelora, the place of execution of Ned Stark. This made the fort a must -have point on the map of places to visit the series by fans. On April 6, Both Fans of “Games of Thrones” and other tourists will have an extraordinary opportunity to visit the fort. The last such possibility took place in May 2024. Fort Manoel will be available on the first Sunday of April 9-17. Admission is free.
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