Fuerte de Victoria Chica

Fuerte de Victoria Chica is an 18th-century fort in Melilla, standing on the Cerro del Cubo hill within the Fourth Defensive Perimeter of Melilla la Vieja, the city's old fortified quarter. It forms part of Melilla's Historic-Artistic Ensemble, listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's top heritage-protection category.

How did the fort come to be built?

The story starts on 19 November 1734, when Spanish forces seized the Cerro del Cubo hill in a planned surprise action — the height was undefended at the time, and its elevation allowed hostile forces to fire on Melilla with muskets and artillery. A provisional wooden fortification went up that same day, and between 1735 and 1736 it was replaced with the first proper masonry fort on the site.

Why did this hill matter so much?

Holding the Altura del Cubo was essential to defending Melilla as a whole. Whoever controlled the hill could bombard the city below, so fortifying it directly removed a serious threat to the garrison and its residents.

What changed over the following centuries?

In 1773 there was even a plan to demolish the fort, but the Siege of Melilla of 1774–1775 reversed that course — the structure was instead rebuilt and enlarged. The 1778 works, carried out to a design by engineer Juan Caballero, gave the fort much of the layout still visible today.

Over the following decades the building fell into progressive disrepair, eventually reaching a state that threatened its survival. The turning point came with a full restoration: work began on 28 June 2019, and an investment of close to 3 million euros saved the fort from disappearing. The renovated building reopened to the public on 5 February 2021.

What will you see there?

Fuerte de Victoria Chica was the first fort built in Melilla in the first half of the 18th century, making it one of the oldest pieces of the city's defensive network outside the old citadel walls. After restoration, the fort looks close to how it did following the 1778 rebuild — visitors can see its defensive walls, bastion-style layout, and the hilltop position that made it so strategically valuable in relation to Melilla la Vieja.

How do you get there?

The fort sits in the Cubo area, on Avenida Cándido Lobera, close to the walls of Melilla la Vieja. The easiest way to reach it is on foot while exploring the old town — a natural extension of any walk through Melilla's historic fortifications.

When is the best time to visit?

Melilla has a mild Mediterranean climate, so the fort can be visited year-round. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking around the site, while summers can get quite hot.

Frequently asked questions

When was Fuerte de Victoria Chica built? A provisional fortification went up in 1734, followed by a masonry fort built between 1735 and 1736. It was later rebuilt and expanded, notably in 1778.

Why is the fort located on this particular hill? It stands on Cerro del Cubo, a height that had to be controlled to defend Melilla — whoever held it could shell the city, so Spain secured it with its own fortification.

Can you visit the fort today? Yes. After a thorough restoration completed in February 2021, funded by an investment of nearly 3 million euros, the fort regained its historic appearance and can be seen as part of a visit to Melilla la Vieja.

What heritage protection does the fort have? Fuerte de Victoria Chica is part of Melilla's Historic-Artistic Ensemble, registered as a Bien de Interés Cultural — Spain's highest level of heritage protection.