scubish.com: Scuba diving Gzira - Malta

Gżira (or il-Gżira) is a town in the north-eastern coast of Malta (pop. approx. 8,000), between Msida & Sliema, and bordering on Ta' Xbiex, with its famed yacht marina and Embassy Row. The word Gżira means "island" in Maltese, and the town is named after Manoel Island which lies just adjacent to the town. The seafront of Gżira is famed for its breathtaking views of the walled city of Valletta, which are illuminated at night, forming a picturesque backdrop to Manoel Island, the yacht marina and a seafront public garden.

Manoel Island

Manoel Island was originally known as l'Isola del Vescovo or il-Gżira tal-Isqof in Maltese (literally translated as "the Bishop's Island"). In 1643 Jean Paul Lascaris, Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta, constructed a quarantine hospital (lazzaretto) on the island, in an attempt to control the periodic influx of plague and cholera on board visiting ships.

The island was renamed after António Manoel de Vilhena, a Portuguese Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta under whose leadership Fort Manoel was built in 1726. Fort Manoel is considered a marvel of 18th century military engineering. The original plans for the Fort are attributed to Louis d'Augbigne Tigné, and are said to have been modified by his friend and colleague Charles F. de Mondion, who is buried in a crypt beneath Fort Manoel. At one time, the Knights of Malta considered developing a walled city on Manoel Island, but instead they settled on a fort designed to house up to 500 soldiers. The Fort has a magnificent quadrangle, parade ground and arcade, and once housed a baroque chapel dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, under the direct command of the Order.

During World War II, Manoel Island and its fort were used as a naval base by the Royal Navy, at which time it was referred to variously as "HMS Talbot" or "HMS Phœnicia". The Chapel of St. Anthony was virtually destroyed following a direct hit by Luftwaffe bombers in March 1942.

For several years, Manoel Island has housed a quaint, informal sanctuary for ducks and other waterfowl, created and maintained by a local volunteer, and funded entirely by private donations.

At the time of this writing (November 2006), the historic fort is undergoing significant restoration and renovation works, and a new housing development is under construction on Manoel Island. The Manoel Island redevelopment project, however, has been heavily criticized due to its proximity to the island's important historical buildings.

A Brief History of Gżira

In the mid-19th century the first houses started to be built in Gżira by Chevalier Jacob Tagliaferro. Gżira became known as a working-class town, afflicted by the prevalence of prostitution along its main streets. During the last decade, a large proportion of the old houses has been demolished and new, luxurious blocks of flats have been built. Much of the character and charm of the seafront houses has been lost as a result, although on the narrow village streets in the heart of Gżira one can...