Fort Rinella

14/05/2026

ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS COLOUR SERGEANT

This fine scarlet tunic belonged to a Colour Sergeant of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army, going back to the 17th century.

Dating to the Edwardian era, the tunic is a striking example of the period's military dress, featuring the regiment's most distinctive tradition: the flash, ribbons sewn to the back of the collar.

This unique tradition is said to date back to the 18th century, when soldiers wore their hair pulled back into a long tail — called a queue — and secured with a ribbon. When the British Army abandoned the practice, the Royal Welch Fusiliers refused to give up their flash — and have worn it ever since as a proud mark of regimental identity.

This remarkable artefact is back on display at Fort Rinella as part of the 'Soldiers of the Queen' exhibition.

07/04/2026

VACANCY - Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna is looking to employ on full or part-time basis a number of gunners to fire the guns at the Saluting Battery in Valletta during public displays. Employment hours are from 9.30am till 4.30pm. Interested parties are to send their CV by email only: to [email protected]. A valid working permit is necessary.

29/10/2025

Come and help Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna with this year's olive harvest at Fort Rinella, Kalkara. A free tour will be offered afterwards and will have a chance of seeing the recently inaugurated Guthrie Bridge too. Book a place by sending an email: [email protected]

Next public event free to all old and young - olive picking at Fort Rinella, Kalkara

26/09/2025

24/09/2025

NOTICE: As from today 24/09/2025 the 'Soldiers of the Queen Exhibition' at Fort Rinella in Kalkara is being temporarily closed for refurbishment. It will reopen in December 2025. During this period the historic collection in this exhibition which numbers 200+ items amongst 19th century British military uniforms, artillery, weapons, ammunition, insignia, medals and decorations, paintings, sculptures, documents, publications, prints etc will be cleaned, conserved and re-arranged whilst a large quantity of new exhibits will be added. The exhibition will also benefit from the installation of new top of the range museum show cases complete with environmental control to ensure the long term conservation of the collection. The Soldiers of the Queen Exhibition tells the story of the British army and its many small wars around the globe during the Victorian reign from 1837 until 1901 with a special emphasis on its role in Malta at the time.

To compensate for this temporary closure other parts of the Fort which were hitherto closed to the public are being opened on a permanent basis. These include the Artillery Store, the Ammunition Shaft and the Passage to Gun, the Guard Room, Ablutions Room and Cook House which have all been restored.

Fort Rinella is currently open to the public on Saturday's between 10am and 4.30pm. Guided tours and a musketry firing display are offered.

27/08/2025

NEW AQUISITION: A large late19th century metal scale model of the Armstrong 100-ton gun similar to the one emplaced at Fort Rinella has been acquired by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna - the Malta Heritage Trust for display at Fort Rinella in Kalkara. The gun model measures about 50cm and is made from iron and bronze. It consists of a barrel, carriage and slide. The barrel is very accurate but the carriage and slide differ from those employed at Forts Rinella and Cambridge in Malta and Napier and Victoria Batteries in Gibraltar. The carriage is very detailed and typical of the mid-late 19th century. The barrel also has an unusual button at its breech which is not found in the Armstrong 100-ton gun. Not much is known about the origins of this model although an almost identical one is found in the Royal Armouries Collection, UK. It may have been an instructional model or even a black powder firing toy or signal gun since it has a functional radial vent. The model will now go through a process of study, cleaning and conservation before being placed on display. This item was bought through visitors' donations collected on site.

Fort Rinella is currently undergoing extensive works and is open to the public every Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm.