LOCATION

History

A number of historical military sites can be found around the Tigné Point peninsula. Some of the sites date back to the Knight's of St John whilst others were constructed during the British rule.

Fort Tigné

Fort Tigné is located at the tip of the Tigné peninsula and is considered one of the oldest polygonal forts in the world.

It was constructed by the Order of St John in the late 18th century to protect the entrance to Marsamxett Harbour from invading forces. Six years following its completion the fort offered resistance to the forces of Napoleon when they took possession of the island in 1798; later still, the presence of British military barracks on the promontory attracted the attention of Axis bombers in World War Two, when Malta became “the most bombed place on earth.”

Although sadly neglected in the second half of the 20th century, Fort Tigné has been restored by the MIDI group as part of Tigné Point project.

The Garden Battery

In June 2017 MIDI plc commenced work on the restoration of the Garden Battery at Tigné Point.

The costal battery was constructed in 1894 by the British military to connect Fort Tigné to the adjacent Cambridge Battery, however following the construction of a new battery on the glacis of Fort Tigné, it was deemed obsolete and therefore dismantled. Consequentially, over the years much of the ditch was filled in and a number of structures were constructed on both the glacis and the actual Gun Emplacements.

Restoration work includes stonework in the underground rooms, stone replacing of the battery’s Gun Emplacement and landscaping.

St Luke's Chapel

A foundation stone traces the chapel’s origins to January 16, 1910. Since then, St Luke’s Garrison Chapel was reserved for use by officers and soldiers during the first 75 years of the 20th century. The chapel was still in use up until the departure of the British Armed Forces in 1979. In the 1980s and 1990s, St Luke’s Chapel was utilised as a public space for drama, concerts and carnival dances.

Initial research into historical documents yielded only scant information, possibly because St Luke’s Garrison Church belonged to a British military complex, and therefore relevant information may have been classified. However, researchers succeeded in unearthing a few important historical plans at the National Maltese Archives, situated at the former Santo Spirito Hospital in Rabat.

The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower Block, is enveloped by the reconstructed façades of the former Sergeants’ Mess and the Regimental Institute which formed part of the old British Military base at Tigné.

The main feature of the building is the iconic clock tower located at the building’s halfway point. Following the restoration works by MIDI group the Clock Tower Block was handed to the government and today comprises a number of government offices, club houses and private apartments.

Travelling to

Tigné Point

The Tigné Point development is located on the Tigné peninsula at the eastern extremity of the seafront town of Sliema and across the water from Malta’s capital city, Valletta.

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