Fort Binġemma transferred to Xjenza Malta: Government launches Space Park Malta

The government has officially launched the Space Park Malta initiative through the transfer of the historic Fort Binġemma to Xjenza Malta. This transformation will breathe new life into a closed military site by converting it into a national centre for science, education, and innovation, a government statement said.

The announcement was made at Villa Bighi by the Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government, Owen Bonnici on Tuesday.

The project was made possible after people who lived there were evicted last month. A family lived in the fort for decades.

In his address, Minister Owen Bonnici stated that “Fort Binġemma holds great historical and cultural value, and through this transformation it will also become a symbol of how our heritage can be turned into a driver for scientific and educational growth. With this step, we are showing how Malta can place its historical identity as the foundation for a future of innovation and learning.”

In the absence of the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti, the Chief Executive of Xjenza Malta, Silvio Scerri, remarked that, “This project represents a clear choice that our heritage should serve the public good, rather than remain idle or forgotten. Through Space Park Malta, we are creating a space where science and innovation meet education and families, thereby building a future founded on knowledge and opportunity. This is part of Malta Vision 2050, which looks towards a more resilient and competitive country in emerging sectors.”

Space Park Malta will be developed with full respect for the historical character of the fort, while offering modern infrastructure such as the Earth Observation Centre, which will use satellite data for maritime security, environmental monitoring, and land use. The park will also include a Research Observatory as well as a public observatory, giving students and families access to the skies through guided learning, as well as Esplora Space, which will form the heart of the park with exhibitions, school programmes, and outreach activities.

The project will also feature a public library: both digital and traditional media creation facilities, and collaborative spaces for learning and innovation. In addition, it will provide a dedicated environment for start-ups in the space sector, with the aim of nurturing a new economic ecosystem that connects entrepreneurship and science.

Sustainability will be an integral part of the design, with the use of solar energy, intelligent energy management systems, rainwater harvesting, public gardens and open spaces with indigenous planting, and lighting that preserves Malta’s night skies.

The transformation of Fort Binġemma into Space Park Malta symbolizes a national commitment to honour the past, enrich the present, and prepare for a future built on science, education, and innovation.