Gzira

About Gzira

Mostly developed as a working-class village, Gzira is an old town, and it grew out of the need for housing for the numerous workers employed in and around the port. 

Much of the character and charm of the seafront houses have changed. However, in the heart of Gzira, there are still examples of traditional Maltese façades, with timber balconies (Gallarija) and bow-fronted, wrought-iron balconies. 

Gzira location 

Being quite centrally located and being by the sea, Gzira eventually and effectively became an extension of Sliema’s prosperous town, enjoying views of the capital city Valletta across the harbour waters. Being close to Valletta (travel across by boat) and the University of Malta in Msida, and being of interest to various local and foreign businesses, it is home to a vibrant and continuously updated community.

Gzira development 

The proliferation of modern apartments in Gzira as well as the development of high rise buildings, namely Metropolis and 14 East, led to an inflation of housing prices, as the town became sought after by both Maltese and foreigners. 

Plenty of developers are seemingly interested in purchasing properties within this area to develop apartment buildings and commercial outlets around and about the coastal areas.

What to See & Do in Gzira?

Here are some examples of places of interest that you must visit when on holiday or prior purchasing a Malta property for sale or rent in Gzira, that when compared to the other localities in Malta and Gozo, make such a town unique. 

Manoel Island / Fort Manoel

Manoel Island or as it was initially known as l’Isola del Vescovo or il-Gzira tal-Isqof in Maltese (literally translated as “the Bishop’s Island”) was owned by the Cathedral in Mdina. In 1643, Grandmaster Jean-Paul Lascaris of the Knights of Malta built a quarantine hospital (Lazzaretto) on the island to combat the recurrent entry of plague and cholera outbreaks. António Manoel de Vilhena, a Portuguese Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta, was responsible for the construction of Fort Manoel in the 18th century.

It was considered to be a wonder of military engineering. Due to its defensibility, 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. 

Fort Manoel bastions

Fort Manoel is built in a square’s shape, with a pentagonal bastion on each corner, giving it the star shape. The four defenses are called St. Helen, St. Anthony, St. John, and Notre Dame Bastions. St. Helen and St. Anthony Bastions are located on the seaward side, facing Valletta. St. John and Notre Dame Bastions are located along the landward side of the Fort. A low cavalier protects each bastion. A Piazza is located inside the Fort, and it contains the rebuilt Chapel of St Anthony of Padua, several barrack blocks, an armoury, and other buildings. 

Grand Master De Vilhena statue

A bronze statue of Grand Master De Vilhena, once stood in the square, but it was removed in the 19th century and relocated to Valletta. It was later relocated again, and it is now in Floriana. 

Second world war

The British used the island as a naval base during World War II, at which time it was referred to as “HMS Talbot” or “HMS Phoenicia.” A network of underground war shelters connect to the hospital, and that an underwater tunnel connects it to Valletta, however, there is no clear evidence of this. These shelters are not open to the general public.

Manoel Island boatyard

Manoel Island also has a boatyard and repair facility as well as a 420-berth yacht marina. For several years now, Manoel Island houses a quaint, informal sanctuary for ducks and other waterfowl, created and maintained by a local volunteer and funded entirely by private donations.

Fort Manoel restorations

Over the past few years, Fort Manoel has been undergoing extensive restoration works, with attention given to areas hit and damaged by bombs during World War II. The Fort’s rehabilitation led to its being opened to the public in 2009, and sometimes it is used for public and private events.

Fort Manoel has been on Malta’s tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, as part of the Knights’ Fortifications around the Harbours of Malta.

Gzira Parish Church

The town’s church is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and is called as “Tal-ebla” (literally “of the stone”). Its beginnings may be traced back to a street incident in 1902, when intoxicated sailors threw a stone at a façade, the stone being lodged in a holy shrine. A tiny chapel was established on the site, which was later turned into a church in 1921. On the second Sunday in July, the annual village feast is held.

Gzira Promenade

Gzira has a long promenade enjoying lateral views of Manoel Island and Valletta. The promenade keeps stretching on to Sliema and Tigné Point.

Shopping

Gzira is a self-contained seaside town, boasting all amenities. It provides ample shopping opportunities in the form of a string of small shops located along the Gzira promenade. Its close proximity to Sliema means that serious shopping can be continued just metres away on the Sliema ferries promenade and at Tigne Point.