Fort Bengħajsa handed to Heritage Malta after years of illegal occupation

Fort Bengħajsa in Birżebbuġa has been officially handed over to Heritage Malta, paving the way for the restoration and public reopening of the historic site after years of illegal occupation.

The land title of Fort Bengħajsa in Birżebbuġa, was transferred to Heritage Malta by the Lands Authority during an official ceremony on Friday.

Heritage Malta’s CEO Noel Zammit, said he was pleased to see trust placed in the agency to properly care for Malta's heritage and return inaccesible historic spaces to the public.

Zammit said that Heritage Malta will be analysing the structural condition of this historic site with the aim of eventually making it accessible to the public in a sustainable way.

Lands Authority CEO Robert Vella said the authority worked “decisively “ to regularise the site, including enforcement actions against illegal occupation. He pointed out that some court proceedings are still ongoing related to eviction orders involving “certain illegal occupants on part of the Fort”.

Vella added that the Authority “remains committed to ensuring that government land is used sustainably and in the best public interest”.

The 20th-century fort was turned into a hunting complex and was occupied for over a decade.

The last Victorian fort built on the Maltese Islands was granted the highest level of heritage protection and has been described by Visit Malta as a “magnificent reminder of Malta’s glorious past”. 

Last year, the Lands Authority had taken legal steps and carried out coordinated action with law enforcement to evict all illegal occupants.

However, proceedings are still ongoing in court concerning a “small, distinct part” of the Fort related to eviction orders following cases initiated by some of the illegal occupants.

“Many illegal structures that had been built over time were also removed,” the Culture Ministry said in a statement.

The agency will also work with the Birżebbuġa Local Council, national organisation such as the Scout Association, and other voluntary groups in the locality to manage the site.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said Fort Bengħajsa, which covers 40 tumoli of land, will “be returned to the people” after many years of restricted access.

He added the site holds great historical and cultural value for the community and it is therefore “essential that it is properly protected and preserved”.

This initiative is part of a “broader vision” to preserve national heritage and pass it on to future generations, Bonnici said.

Birżebbuġa mayor Scott Camilleri hailed the agreement as a “historic moment” for the locality.

“This historic site in our town holds great importance for the history of Birżebbuġa as well as that of Malta as a whole. The Council now looks forward to seeing this space regenerated and enjoyed by the public.”