Fort Tas-Silġ, Military fort in Marsaxlokk, Malta
Fort Tas-Silġ is a British military installation on elevated terrain at Delimara Point, constructed from limestone and concrete with underground barracks beneath. The structure features a defensive ditch surrounding the fortification, with a gatehouse controlling access to the compound.
The fortification was built between 1879 and 1883 by the British to serve as a fire control station for Fort Delimara's guns positioned below. In the 1950s, the Royal Air Force established a signals unit there before the site was eventually abandoned.
The fort serves as a dog sanctuary today, housing rescued animals in its spaces. The transformation from military function to animal shelter gives the place a different character than most other defensive structures in the region.
Access enters through the gatehouse, and the ditch as well as outer structures are generally walkable, though some areas show wear and damage. The elevated position offers views of the coastline, but visitors should wear appropriate footwear for uneven surfaces.
The northern ditch shows significant deterioration while the southern sections remain more stable, creating an uneven state of preservation across the site. This contrast reveals how different parts of the fort have weathered the decades differently since abandonment.
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