Fort Rinella, Kalkara
Fort Rinella
Fort Rinella
5
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Fort Rinella in Kalkara,was built in 1878. This fort is not only a unique remnant of Malta's recent British colonial past, but it is also the world's first mechanical fort which enabled its small garrison to fire a monstrous 100-ton gun every six minutes. To be able to do this, the fort was equipped with a novel steam-driven hydraulic set-up that enabled the gun to traverse and depress and its ammunition to be hoisted and loaded mechanically. On visiting this fort in 1889, the great French writer Jules Verne described it as a marvel of the industrial age which would render Malta safe for ever. Some say that this is the place from where he got the idea of writing his famous novel a 'Voyage to the Moon', where a man is stuffed into a large projectile and fired from a large gun onto the moon!Originally, the 100-ton gun was built by Sir William George Armstrong of Newcastle in 1878, to equip a new class of Italian battleships - the Duilio class. This caused a serious stir between Britain and Italy which led to the former to obtain examples of the same gun to secure Malta and Gibraltar against a potential Italian seaborne attack.The Armstrong 100-ton gun has a calibre of 17.72-Inches (45cm). It is 35 feet long and has an overall weight of 156 tons making it the world's largest muzzle-loading cannon ever built. It used a quarter of a ton of gun powder to propel its monster shells up to a maximum range of eight miles. At that range it could pierce anything up to 21-inches of ship armour! The gun at Fort Rinella and another at Napier of Magdala Battery in Gibraltar are the sole surving examples today. The fort has recently undergone extensive restoration and improvement. A new 20-minute audio-visual outlining the history of the fort and its gun has also been added and is included in all guided tours.RE-Live History at Fort Rinella - Every afternoon from Monday to Saturday!Throughout the year, from Monday to Saturday at 14.00Hrs sharp, Fort Rinella is brought back to life complete with late 19th century Victorian soldiers who will take visitors on an animated tour around the fort. This tour combines excellent guiding with live and colourful historical re-enacting including military signalling, firing of rifles, bayonet practice, military cooking and more. Much use of original period equipment and weapons is made throughout this tour. All this goes to provide an enjoyable and long lasting experience to visitors.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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5.0
1,456 reviews
Excellent
1,295
Very good
113
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32
Poor
14
Terrible
2
BT3rd
Datchet, UK5,752 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Couples
Ayrton was our guide to this amazing fort built for one reason - to house the largest muzzle loading gun ever made. The Armstrong 100lb cannon. He was affable, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in his explanation of the hydraulic system used to load and fire the cannon.
Inside we were allowed to roam the forts passages and there is an interesting museum on site.
This is well worth a visit to see a unique piece of history.
Inside we were allowed to roam the forts passages and there is an interesting museum on site.
This is well worth a visit to see a unique piece of history.
Written 15 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Judith K
Vancouver, Canada2 contributions
Jan. 2022 • Family
I highly recommend taking a tour of this very unique fort. Our guide David patently and throughly explained the mechanics of the cannons as well as how and why the fort was built.
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jakub W
1 contribution
Dec. 2021 • Couples
Very good guide Ayrton. He showed us a gun,and proffesionaly explained all mechanisms. We could use an original rifle from XIX century. Must See this Fort on Malta.
Written 9 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Karol L
1 contribution
Nov. 2021 • Family
If you are interested in very unique weapon you should go to Fort Rinella. They have one of two worlds biggest cannon. Also there is very nice your guide David - best regards to him :)
My son loved this attraction. It's located from other nice places so you can consider this part of Island to visit for longer tour.
My son loved this attraction. It's located from other nice places so you can consider this part of Island to visit for longer tour.
Written 27 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Iza Ł
2 contributions
Nov. 2021
Very interesting place, our guide Ayrton was excellent. He was a really knowledgable and full of passion. He took us into the very exited journey , explaining everything in a nice and interesting form.
Highly recommended!!!!!!!
Highly recommended!!!!!!!
Written 27 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
elisa E
1 contribution
Nov. 2021 • Family
Really liked the older tour guide:) it was very interesting and wasn't long. There wasn't many people so it was really nice experience! Thank you
Written 20 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MadTravelDog
London, UK43 contributions
Nov. 2021 • Couples
Well done to the team at Fort Rinella, your tour and explanations were of the highest quality. A really knowledgeable and passionate group. The museum displays are of the highest standards and are easy to follow. Only minor issue is to avoid giving talks outside on weapons whilst the video on the gun is showing - video is difficult to hear due to the acoustics of the rooms. Really enjoyed the visit and chat afterwards.
Written 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Villa F
6 contributions
Oct. 2021 • Family
Great family experience at Fort Rinella and thanks to our guide David who took time to explain the ins and outs of the fort history and usage including the 100 tons gun.
The Fort is well kept.
We were even able to fire a rifle !!!
Great for a 1.5 hour visit mostly outside.
Highly recommended
The Fort is well kept.
We were even able to fire a rifle !!!
Great for a 1.5 hour visit mostly outside.
Highly recommended
Written 13 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Fed G
4 contributions
Nov. 2021 • Family
My son and I were looking for something to fill a Saturday afternoon and picked Fort Rinella and so happy we did, we had a great afternoon!
We decided to have a guide come with us and David, our guide, was incredible!
Fort Rinella isn’t a huge site but it houses a 100ton gun and learning about the history of the gun, the genius engineering behind it and how the soldiers operated it is really worth going to see. How the fort was designed and constructed is also impressive.
There’s a small museum to walk around after.
I highly recommend having one of the guides talk you through as it brings the place to life. They have in-depth knowledge of the fort and talk with great enthusiasm.
David talked us through everything and was so interesting to listen to I didn’t want it to end.
We also had a chat with some of the other staff who again were very friendly, knowledgeable and you can see they really enjoy telling people about the place.
I paid for my son to fire a musket and it’s well worth the extra €5.
I will definitely go back and try and catch the re-enactments they do.
They are hoping to increase the attractions of the museum so it’s a heritage site well worth visiting and supporting.
We decided to have a guide come with us and David, our guide, was incredible!
Fort Rinella isn’t a huge site but it houses a 100ton gun and learning about the history of the gun, the genius engineering behind it and how the soldiers operated it is really worth going to see. How the fort was designed and constructed is also impressive.
There’s a small museum to walk around after.
I highly recommend having one of the guides talk you through as it brings the place to life. They have in-depth knowledge of the fort and talk with great enthusiasm.
David talked us through everything and was so interesting to listen to I didn’t want it to end.
We also had a chat with some of the other staff who again were very friendly, knowledgeable and you can see they really enjoy telling people about the place.
I paid for my son to fire a musket and it’s well worth the extra €5.
I will definitely go back and try and catch the re-enactments they do.
They are hoping to increase the attractions of the museum so it’s a heritage site well worth visiting and supporting.
Written 7 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Karen V
1 contribution
Nov. 2021 • Couples
Being able to shoot a trap door Martini, excellent guide and museum that is very interesting, fantastic. When the guides have showed you around you can walk the underground tunnels and view the museum which is full of information and items to see, unique gifts are available and children will love there visit here and the adults will enjoy the freedom to roam too :) 100% great visit.
Written 6 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sophhwatson
Leeds, UK53 contributions
Where do you buy the Fort Rinella tickets with free transport bus from the Saluting Battery? And how much are the tickets purchased from here?
Thank you and we are looking forward to visiting the Fort.
Llewellyn53
Melbourne, Australia3,963 contributions
Get the free bus there when you buy your multi site entry ticket then catch public transport back at the bus stop out the front. You may want to check bus scheduling before you leave the fort so you don't have to wait long
Yvon L
Gironcourt sur vraine81 contributions
Bonjour
Pourriez vous me dire si il y a des visites en français ?
Merci
Mario F
Birgu (Vittoriosa), Malta
Thank you for your query. I'm afraid that we have no guided tours in French but we do have audio tour in French and it is free with the entrance. It covers exactly the same areas as teh gudied tour.
Rgds
Mario
JoseSammut
Malta
How often is the 100-Ton Gun fired?
And also, is it fired with a blank charge or is a shell inserted?
Mario F
Birgu (Vittoriosa), Malta
The 100-ton gun is only fired on very special occassions.but we do fire smaller cannon at thsi fort as part fo our regular displays and tours.
Cricketman_10
United Kingdom1,399 contributions
Greetings I hope to make a visit to fort rinella in October 2105 as it accessible by Electric wheelchair, and is there any disabled toilets anywhere on site. Regards
Mario F
Birgu (Vittoriosa), Malta
Yes 80% of the fort is accessible to wheelchair users. please do not hesitate our staff at the gate to help you out if you need to. our soldiers will also be very happy to assist you once you reach the fort.
ilfenek
Melbourne, Australia21 contributions
Greetings, I am planning on being in Malta 30/3 - 27/8 2015. I have never been to Fort Rinella & have this on my list. Is it easily accessible for elderly/wheel chair ?
I have noted an event there on the 9th is this right ?
Regards
Mario F
Birgu (Vittoriosa), Malta
Thank you for your query. Yes most of the fort is accessible to wheelchairs. The only parts which are not are the undergrounds.The historical re-enactments are held in an open arena so they are accessible too. we have regular events at this site so for more information it is best to visit its website under 'events'. We also have daily re-enactment displays. Thank you for your interest.
MosesUk
UK66 contributions
Hi, On what day will the 100 ton gun be fired in 2015. Thanks
CleavenDesira
Island of Malta, Malta19 contributions
The 100 ton gun will be fired on the 3rd of May 2015 together with the special event of Gallipoli.
Thank you for your interest
Cleaven Desira
Fort Rinella Site Keeper
Brian L
Tonbridge Kent Uk10 contributions
On what date in 2015 will the 100 ton gun be fired - is it only once a year ?
CleavenDesira
Island of Malta, Malta19 contributions
The 100 ton gun will be fired on the 3rd of May 2015 together with the special event of Gallipoli.
Thank you for your interest
Cleaven Desira
Fort Rinella Site Keeper
Brian L
Tonbridge Kent Uk10 contributions
On what date in 2015 will the 100 ton gun be fired - is it only once a year ?
CleavenDesira
Island of Malta, Malta19 contributions
The 100 ton gun will be fired on the 3rd of May 2015 together with the special event of Gallipoli.
Thank you for your interest
Cleaven Desira
Fort Rinella Site Keeper
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Rinella
- Fort Rinella is open:
- Thu - Sat 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
- We recommend booking Fort Rinella tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Fort Rinella tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Fort Rinella:
- (1.49 km) Julesy's BnB
- (1.58 km) Ursulino Valletta
- (1.68 km) BOCO Boutique Hotel
- (1.54 km) Palazzo Consiglia
- (1.73 km) The Barrister Hotel
- Restaurants near Fort Rinella:
- (0.43 km) Rinella Kitchen & Lounge
- (0.41 km) Frankies
- (1.17 km) Bebirgu
- (1.14 km) Tal-Petut
- (1.61 km) Beati Paoli Restaurant