Manikata Barracks

Manikata Barracks – Military Heritage & Transformation

Established in 1902 after the Admiralty acquired land from local farmers, Manikata Barracks began as a Royal Marines training center. By 1910, timber “Crimea Huts” gave way to permanent masonry buildings. During World War I, the site expanded into a tent-covered military hospital. In 1935, fearing an invasion by Mussolini’s Italy, the British fortified the area with gun posts, later adding an anti-aircraft battery during World War II. The camp’s strategic role made it a frequent target for air raids.

From the post-war years to the late 1960s, the nearby Għajn Tuffieħa Camp was a major hub for British and NATO military training. In the late 1970s, part of the site was transformed into the Ħal Ferħ tourist complex, with arches and decorative features softening its stark military style. The lower camp, earmarked for luxury redevelopment in 2011, was finally demolished in June 2022.