Gżira is a city in the Central Region of Malta. It lies between Msida and Sliema, which also borders Ta ‘Xbiex.
Gżira is a city in the Central Region of Malta. It lies between Msida and Sliema, which also borders Ta ‘Xbiex. The word Gżira means “island” in Maltese, and the name of the city derives from the island of Manoel just next to the city.
1. Fort Manoel
Fort Manoel is a star fort on Manoel Island in Gżira, Malta. It was built in the 18th century by the Order of Saint John, during the reign of Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, after whom it is named. The British military took over the fort in 1800 when it became known as HMS Phoenicia, and it remained in use by them until 1964. The fort was severely damaged in World War II, but it was restored and it is now in good condition. The fort is an example of Baroque architecture, and it was designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. Fort Manoel has been on Malta’s tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, as part of the Knights’ Fortifications around the Harbours of Malta.
2. Manoel Island
Manoel Island is a small island that forms part of the municipality of Gżira in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta. It is named after the Portuguese Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena, who built a fort on the island in the 1720s. Previously, the island had been known as l’Isolotto or l’Isola del Vescovo.
3. Parish Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is a late 20th century Parish church in Fgura, Malta. It was designed in 1981 by Architect and Engineer Godfrey Azzopardi and built-in 1988. The presbytery was designed a year before its construction by Edward Micallef. The building is a listed monument and an active Roman Catholic Church.
4. Duck Village
Duck Village is a volunteer-run sanctuary for ducks and many other animals. The Duck Village is home to many ducks as well as geese, guinea pigs, rabbits, chicken, roosters, even pheasants and possibly more. There aren’t that many places in Malta where you can see animals.
5. Lazarett Hospital
The Lazzaretto is a former quarantine facility and hospital on Manoel Island in Gżira, Malta. It is a complex of various buildings dating back to between the 17th and 19th centuries. Most of the structures still exist, although they are in a bad state due to damage sustained during World War II and over 30 years of abandonment. It is planned that the Lazzaretto be restored.