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Fort Leonardo

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Historical site
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Fort Leonardo (Malta)

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Fort Leonardo, also known as Fort San Leonardo, is a polygonal fort located between Żabbar and Xgħajra in southeastern Malta. It was built by the British between 1872 and 1878 as part of an extensive coastal defense system designed to prevent enemy ships from approaching the Grand Harbour. The fort was named after the nearby Leonardo Point and is characterized by its strategic location on high ground overlooking the coastline. Originally, it was armed with heavy 9.2-inch and 6-inch breech-loading guns, which possessed an enormous range over the open sea. The fort's architecture marks the transition from classical bastions to flatter, concrete-reinforced structures that were better protected against modern artillery. During World War II, Fort Leonardo continued to serve as an active coastal battery and anti-aircraft position. Today, the fort is privately owned and not directly accessible to the general public, but it remains an imposing witness to British military history in Malta. The surrounding landscape features hiking trails with views of the fortress and the Mediterranean Sea.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C151415161923262725232016
Rain mm74655133171141063829582

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Fort Leonardo is a British coastal fort that is usually open to the public, but only during daylight hours. Some areas may be closed due to dilapidation.
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Typical hours
The fort has no fixed opening hours; it is usually accessible during the day as long as the grounds are not cordoned off. Check with the local council in advance.
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Photography
The coastal fort features great photo subjects with views of the sea and surrounding landscape. Photography is allowed in open areas, but be cautious of unstable structures.
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Time needed
A visit to the fort takes about 30 to 45 minutes to explore the main grounds. For a thorough exploration, budget an hour.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with other coastal fortifications in the area, such as Fort Ricasoli or Fort St. Angelo. Also the nearby beaches of Marsaskala or St. Thomas Bay are worth a visit.
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Getting there
Fort Leonardo is located on Malta's east coast, near the town of Marsaskala. It is reachable by car via the coastal road; public buses stop at 'Fort Leonardo' stop nearby.
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Insider tip
Bring a torch to explore the dark casemates and underground passages. Wear sturdy footwear as the ground may be uneven and debris-covered.

Geography

Coordinates
35.88500, 14.55080

Facts

  • Built between 1872 and 1878 to defend the Grand Harbour
  • Named after the neighboring headland called Leonardo Point
  • Originally armed with heavy 9.2-inch breech-loading artillery
  • Served as an active anti-aircraft position during World War II
  • A prime example of late 19th-century polygonal fort design
  • Currently privately owned and used partly for agricultural purposes

Explore nearby

Notable places around

XgħajraXgħajra<1 km · WExplore →
Żabbar Sanctuary MuseumŻabbar Sanctuary Museum2 km · SWExplore →
Żonqor PointŻonqor Point2 km · SEExplore →
KalkaraKalkara3 km · WExplore →
Toly ProductsToly Products3 km · SWExplore →
St. Thomas BaySt. Thomas Bay3 km · SExplore →
FguraFgura4 km · WExplore →
FlorianaFloriana4 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Fort Leonardo (10)

Delle Grazie Battery

Maltese artillery battery built by the British for coastal defense.

St. Peter's Battery

Archaeological site of a former battery on the Maltese coast.

Musical Fountain

A fountain in the town that plays music at scheduled times.

Forti San Leonardu

Polygonal fort in Żabbar, Malta, dating from the 19th century.

Forti Santu Rokku

First polygonal fort built by the British in Malta, construction started 1872/73 on the site of an earlier battery.

Wreck of the Hellespont

Shipwreck off the coast of Malta, a popular dive site.

Tlett is-Slaleb

Monument in Malta; its exact meaning can be explored on site.

Sala Notre Dame

Theatre and event venue in a Maltese town.

Mużew tas-Santwarju tal-Madonna tal-Grazzja🏛 museum

Museum at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace in Malta.

Iċ-Ċirku

Archaeological site in Malta, evidence of early settlement.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When was Fort Leonardo built?
It was built by the British between 1872 and 1878.
Where is the fort located?
On the coast between Żabbar and Xgħajra in southeastern Malta.
Is the fort open to the public?
No, it is currently privately owned and not officially open to visitors.
What was the original purpose of the fort?
It served as a coastal defense against attacks from the sea.
Can you see the exterior?
It can be seen from the surrounding coastal hiking trails.
Fort Leonardo: where is it located?
Fort Leonardo is located in Malta.
Fort Leonardo: what is there to see?
Highlights include Delle Grazie Battery, St. Peter's Battery, Musical Fountain.
Fort Leonardo: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jul.
Fort Leonardo: why is it worth visiting?
Fort Leonardo, also known as Fort San Leonardo, is a polygonal fort located between Żabbar and Xgħajra in southeastern Malta.
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Nearby cities

Xgħajra — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Xgħajra
Xgħajra is a small coastal town known for its long promenade, rocky coast, and well-preserved British-era fortifications.
Kalkara — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Kalkara
Kalkara is a picturesque village along the Grand Harbour, home to the Esplora Science Centre and Fort Ricasoli.
Fgura — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Fgura
Fgura is a relatively modern town that grew rapidly after World War II to become one of the main residential and commercial areas.
Floriana — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Floriana
Floriana is a fortified town and suburb of Valletta, known for its large squares, gardens, and historical granaries.
Tigné Point — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Tigné Point
A modern residential and commercial area on a peninsula.
Marsa — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Marsa
Situated at the inner end of the Grand Harbour, Marsa is a key industrial hub, featuring a power station and a horse racing track.
Ta&#39; Xbiex — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Ta' Xbiex
Ta' Xbiex is a small town known for hosting many foreign embassies, its marinas, and its scenic seafront.
Luqa — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Luqa
Luqa is best known for hosting the Malta International Airport, the country's main gateway to the world.
Qormi (Città Pinto) — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Qormi (Città Pinto)
Qormi is known as the 'bread city' of Malta, with a long history of baking that is still alive in its many bakeries today.
Pembroke — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Pembroke
Pembroke is Malta's newest town, known for its past as a British military base and its rocky coastline.
Mqabba — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Mqabba
Mqabba is renowned for its stone quarries, which extract the high-quality globigerina limestone, and for its paleo-Christian catacombs.
Żurrieq — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Żurrieq
Żurrieq is one of the oldest towns in Malta, known for the Blue Grotto, the Xarolla Windmill, and its catacombs.
Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand) — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Siġġiewi (Città Ferdinand)
Siġġiewi is a rural town known for its vast fields, farmhouses, and proximity to Buskett Gardens and Dingli Cliffs.
Żebbuġ, Malta — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Żebbuġ, Malta
Żebbuġ, also known as Città Rohan, is one of the oldest towns in Malta, known for its grand parish church and its feasts.

History & landmarks

Xgħajra Promenade — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Xgħajra Promenade
A quiet coastal promenade.
Żabbar Sanctuary Museum — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Żabbar Sanctuary Museum
A museum adjacent to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces.
Żonqor Point — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Żonqor Point
The northern tip of Marsaskala Bay.
The Sea Shell House — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
The Sea Shell House
A unique house with a facade completely covered in decorative sea shells.
Top of the World — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Top of the World
A popular viewpoint offering wide views over northern Malta.
Ħaġar Qim — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Ħaġar Qim
A UNESCO World Heritage megalithic temple complex dating back to the Neolithic period, featuring some of the largest limestone monoliths.

Nature

Ta&#39; Ċieda Hill — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Ta' Ċieda Hill
A flat rise near Swieqi.
St. Peter&#39;s Pool — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
St. Peter's Pool
A natural rock pool popular with cliff divers.
Ta&#39; l-Agħara Hill — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Ta' l-Agħara Hill
A flat hilltop near Ħal Qormi.
Blue Grotto — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Blue Grotto
A complex of seven sea caves famous for the brilliant blue water.

More places

Toly Products — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Toly Products
A leading manufacturer of luxury packaging for the cosmetics industry.
St. Thomas Bay — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
St. Thomas Bay
A bay in Marsaskala used by small fishing and leisure boats.
Marsaxlokk Playground — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Marsaxlokk Playground
A large playground right by the harbour of the fishing village.
Xrobb l-Għaġin Coastal Park — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Xrobb l-Għaġin Coastal Park
Xrobb l-Għaġin is a coastal park on the southeast coast of Malta.
Għar Dalam Cave — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Għar Dalam Cave
Prehistoric cave with fossils of dwarf elephants and hippos.
St. Julian&#39;s Tower — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
St. Julian's Tower
A coastal watchtower repurposed as a restaurant.
Lufthansa Technik Malta — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Lufthansa Technik Malta
A major aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility.
Mensija Sanctuary — Fort Leonardo (Malta)
Mensija Sanctuary
A unique cave-church with a rich local legend.