Standing proudly at the entrance to the Grand Harbour of Valletta, Fort Ricasoli is one of the most iconic military fortifications in Malta. Built between 1670 and 1698 by the Knights of the Order of St. John, it was designed by Italian engineer Maurizio Valperga and financed by Giovanni Francesco Ricasoli, the Italian knight who gave the fort its name. Its purpose was clear: to defend the fortified city of Valletta from naval attacks—and it did so for centuries.

Fort Ricasoli was constructed on the Kalkara Peninsula, at a location historically known as Gallows’ Point. Facing the sea alongside Fort Saint Elmo, its primary role was to control maritime access to Grand Harbour and support the Cottonera Line of fortifications. The fort’s bastioned layout, casemates, ravelins, counterguards, and even a chapel reflect the military sophistication of the era. Though built after the Great Siege of 1565, the site had already served as a defensive point for centuries, with early structures like the Orsi Tower offering protection.

Although it didn’t witness combat during the famous 1565 siege, Fort Ricasoli soon became a cornerstone of Malta’s defense system. Positioned across from the heroic stand at Fort Saint Elmo, Ricasoli stood as a symbol of continued resistance and vigilance against future Ottoman threats.

After the French occupation of 1798 and the subsequent Maltese revolt, Fort Ricasoli transitioned into British hands, marking a new chapter in its long history. In 1807, it was the site of the infamous Froberg Mutiny, which ended in a devastating explosion that severely damaged part of the fort.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Fort Ricasoli served various purposes: a military hospital, prison, and later a naval barracks. From 1947 to 1958, it operated under the name HMS Ricasoli, a Royal Navy base primarily used for training and logistics. Its strategic importance peaked during World War II, when it was equipped with coastal artillery. In 1941, it played a vital role in defending Grand Harbour from an Italian naval attack. In 1942, it suffered heavy German bombardment, which destroyed the governor’s house and the original main gate.

Decommissioned in the 1960s and handed back to the Maltese government in 1964, the fort faced a long period of abandonment. While its main gate was reconstructed in 1958, the rest of the fort remains largely unrestored, including the ruined governor’s residence. But the story didn’t end there.

Today, Fort Ricasoli has found a new life—not as a military site, but as a blockbuster film location. With its vast bastions, sweeping stone walls, and authentic medieval atmosphere, it has become a favorite for directors looking to recreate ancient cities and battle scenes.

Films and TV series shot at Fort Ricasoli include:

• Black Eagle (1988)
• Cutthroat Island (1995)
• Gladiator (2000)
• Troy (2004)
• Alexander (2004)
• The Da Vinci Code (2006)
• Agora (2009)
• The Devil’s Double (2011)
• Game of Thrones (2011, select scenes)
• Assassin’s Creed (2016)
• Napoleon (2023)
• Gladiator II (2024)

Its proximity to Malta Film Studios has only enhanced its reputation as Malta’s most cinematic fortress.

Fort Ricasoli is more than just an old fort—it’s a powerful symbol of Malta’s layered history, reflecting centuries of warfare, resistance, colonization, and now, cultural transformation. From defending the Grand Harbour to hosting gladiators and emperors on screen, it remains one of Malta’s most evocative and versatile landmarks.

Preserving Fort Ricasoli is not only about safeguarding military history—it’s about honoring its evolving role in storytelling, memory, and Maltese identity.