Gzira: Discover cultural history and the coast

Explore cultural history according to your interests

For a trip to Gzira, cultural and coastal themes can be considered according to their particular focus. Fort Manoel represents military history, the Lazzaretto tells the story of quarantine; other highlights include religious architecture, an annual festival tradition and the waterfront areas on Manoel Island. These themes differ in function, period and character. This can help you decide whether to focus on architectural history, religious tradition or proximity to the water when choosing where to stay.

Fort Manoel and architectural history

Fort Manoel was built between 1723 and 1733 and is considered a typical example of 18th-century military engineering. The fort also houses a Baroque chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. Its military-historical significance and religious dedication are two distinct aspects of the same building: one reflects the technological period, while the other relates to its sacred design. This makes Fort Manoel an interesting focus for travellers interested in architectural history and religious architecture.

The Lazzaretto and the history of quarantine

The Lazzaretto on Manoel Island tells a different story. A permanent quarantine centre was established there in 1643. During the British period, the complex was expanded in 1837 and 1838. The focus here is therefore on its original function as a quarantine centre and its later expansions. The time between its establishment and the 19th-century works makes the sequence clear without equating it with the architectural history of Fort Manoel. Visitors interested in historic uses and structural changes will find a different focus here than at the fort.

Church architecture and festival tradition

In Gżira, the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was built in the Doric style between 1921 and 1935. Compared with the Baroque chapel at Fort Manoel, these are two sacred architectural forms built in different periods. The comparison offers a clear architectural contrast: Baroque style and chapel on one hand, Doric style and parish church on the other.

The annual calendar also offers a religious focal point. In Gżira, a feast in honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated every year on the second Sunday in July. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival tradition, check the dates for the relevant year before making your plans.

Landscape and waterfront on Manoel Island

Manoel Island is a nearly flat, leaf-shaped islet. Glacis Park surrounds Fort Manoel and covers 80,000 square metres. The park’s existing landscape is being rehabilitated as part of the Manoel Island project. This means that, alongside the historic buildings, the park’s specific area and its integration into the project are also part of the picture.

Popular swimming spots along the shore of Manoel Island are another attraction by the water, according to a visitor notice dated 21 July 2025. A notice from the same date reports extensive excavation work that uncovered a curved staircase leading down to the beach below Fort Manoel. If you plan to visit the waterfront or the staircase, check the staircase’s current accessibility beforehand.

Discover more destinations: San Pawl Il-Baħar, Mqabba, Pembroke, Żebbuġ, Vittoriosa, Floriana, Hal Kirkop, Xemxija

For the full travel guide: Malta.