Over the years, the islands have transformed and changed to keep up with the developing times, be it culturally or infrastructurally. This photo, shared to a Gzira group, is a major throwback that depicts Manoel Island and the surrounding area like you’ve never seen it before!
The undated photo shows the Fort Manoel fortification in all its glory, yet with something in the background we’re used to – empty fields! Yes, before Gzira became the busy town it is today, it was a peaceful area, with Manoel Island just across the water…literally.
Manoel Island has been around for quite some time, having been used to build the Lazzaretto Hospital (an isolation hospital) in 1592. Fast forward to the 18th century, it became home to some 500 men as the fort was considered to be impenetrable. During the war, it was used as a navy base and a hospital, suffering damages which lead to its abandonment until restoration began in the early 21st century.
Nowadays, there’s the Manoel Island Guardianship Agreement in order to “ensure that access to the foreshore at Manoel Island is maintained at all times,” MIDI said last month. This summer, between the months of July and September, over 50,000 visitors checked out Manoel Island, proving it has become quite the popular swimming spot.
Ryan il-bahri via Memories of Gzira, Ta' Xbiex, and Msida. / Facebook