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3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 FEBRUARY 2026 CULTURE From Castrum Maris to Delimara's mighty guns THIS February and March, Her- itage Malta shines the spotlight on two of Malta's most remark- able coastal strongholds, Fort St Angelo and Fort Delimara. Two immersive events invite the pub- lic to rediscover these historic sites' crucial defensive roles while witnessing the agency's latest res- toration efforts. On Sunday 22nd February, Fort St Angelo in Birgu turns back the clock to the 1400s, becoming once more the Castrum Maris, the Castle by the Sea. From 10:00am to 3:00pm, the Histori- cal Re-enactment Group of Malta (HRGM) will transform the fort into a bustling medieval strong- hold. Visitors will encounter soldiers in period costume and weaponry, learn about the sup- plies and arms that safeguarded the harbour, and experience life within the castle's sturdy walls during this era. Standard admission fees ap- ply. Heritage Malta members and Senior and Student Pass- port holders enter for free. Tick- ets may be prebooked online at https://heritagemalta.mt/store/, purchased from Heritage Mal- ta museums and sites, or at the door. On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March, one of Heritage Mal- ta's most sought-after closed sites opens its gates: Fort Delimara, towering above Marsaxlokk Har- bour. Built in the late 19th cen- tury, this Victorian fort features a vast parade ground, barracks, and underground passages. It also houses four original 38-ton guns, fully restored and remarkably the only surviving examples in the world still on their original car- riages in their original casemate emplacements. Visitors will be able to view one of these extraor- dinary guns up close. Heritage Malta's latest restora- tion efforts will also be on display. Highlights include the recently completed embellishment project at the fort's entrance. The resto- ration of the 145-year-old main door was carried out entirely on site, addressing deteriorated tim- ber and damaged sections while retaining as much of the original wood and ironwork as possible. Using a rare 1954 colour photo- graph as reference, the team rec- reated the entrance's appearance as it looked before 1956, when the fort ceased military operations. Fort Delimara will be open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on both days, with hourly guided tours alter- nating in Maltese and English. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Tickets will not be available at the door. For full details, bookings, and updates, visit https://heritage- malta.mt/whats-on/ and follow Heritage Malta on social media, including the official WhatsApp channel: www.whatsapp.com/ c h a n n e l / 0 0 2 9 V b 4 U J x w 1 y T - 29ko3Gkq2F." Perspective from the Battery Command Post, showing a gun emplacement Fort Delimara's main entrance Fort Delimara's main entrance Underground passages in Fort Delimara