Corradino Lines | |
---|---|
Is-Swar ta' Kordin | |
Paola, Malta | |
Coordinates | 35°52′41″N14°30′34″E / 35.87806°N 14.50944°E |
Type | Line of fortification |
Site information | |
Condition | Partly intact |
Site history | |
Built | 1871–1880 |
Built by | British Empire |
In use | 1880–1900s 1940s |
Materials | Limestone |
Battles/wars | World War II |
The Corradino Lines (Maltese : Is-Swar ta' Kordin) are a line of fortification on the Corradino Heights in Paola, Malta. They were built between 1871 and 1880 by the British. Today, the lines are partly intact and they lie in an industrial area.
Corradino (Maltese : Kordin) is a large headland within the Grand Harbour, overlooking Senglea and Floriana. Corradino is on high ground compared to the surrounding area, and therefore was of great strategic importance. The site's importance was seen in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, when Ottomans mounted cannons on high ground to bombard the Order of Saint John in Senglea and Birgu. [1] Over 200 years later, new batteries were built on Corradino, this time by Maltese insurgents to bombard the French during the blockade of 1798–1800. [2]
Although the Order of Saint John built extensive fortifications around most of the Grand Harbour area, Corradino was not fortified. A proposal to build a bastioned enceinte was made in the 1670s following the fall of Candia, but this was never built due to a lack of funds. The only military building on the headland was a polverista at Ras Ħanżir, which Pinto built in 1756. [3] [4]
Malta was eventually taken over by the British, and the island became the Royal Navy's main base in the Mediterranean. In the 1860s, it was decided that the Malta Dockyard be expanded into French Creek, the inlet between Senglea and Corradino. In the following years, the necessity to fortify Corradino was highlighted, since if an enemy took over the headland, the dockyard could be easily attacked.
The Corradino Lines were therefore built by the Royal Engineers between 1871 and 1880, at a total cost of £17634. Part of the megalithic temple of Kordin II was destroyed to make way for the new line of fortification in 1871. [5] The defensive line consisted of a V-shaped polygonal-style trace surrounded by a ditch, stretching all the way from the Cottonera Lines to the Ras Ħanżir polverista. [6] The lines were also meant to protect the polverista, which was modified by the addition of an enclosure pierced by musketry loopholes. [7] The lines were armed with two RML 64-pound guns. [8]
A proposal was made to build a new town within the Corradino Lines, but this was rejected and the area was converted into a naval prison. [9] The lines soon lost their military value, and were abandoned by the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th centuries.
In World War II, the Corradino Lines were temporarily reestablished as an infantry entrenchment, and a defensive post containing a QF 4 inch Mk V naval gun turret was built. [10]
In the late 20th century, Corradino was converted into an industrial estate. The Corradino Lines were damaged during the course of development in the area. Despite this, most of the V-shaped enceinte and the ditch are still intact, although they are hidden from view amongst various factory buildings. [10]
Plans are being made to restore the Corradino Lines [11] and turn them into a recreational park. [12]
Fort Ricasoli is a bastioned fort in Kalkara, Malta, which was built by the Order of Saint John between 1670 and 1698. The fort occupies a promontory known as Gallows' Point and the north shore of Rinella Bay, commanding the entrance to the Grand Harbour along with Fort Saint Elmo. It is the largest fort in Malta and has been on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, as part of the Knights' Fortifications around the Harbours of Malta.
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, although some are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a hastily constructed temporary fortification. The word means "a place of retreat". Redoubts were a component of the military strategies of most European empires during the colonial era, especially in the outer works of Vauban-style fortresses made popular during the 17th century, although the concept of redoubts has existed since medieval times. A redoubt differs from a redan in that the redan is open in the rear, whereas the redoubt was considered an enclosed work.
The Grand Harbour, also known as the Port of Marsa, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been substantially modified over the years with extensive docks, wharves, and fortifications.
The Cottonera Lines, also known as the Valperga Lines, are a line of fortifications in Bormla and Birgu, Malta. They were built in the 17th and 18th centuries on higher ground and further outwards than the earlier line of fortifications, known as the Santa Margherita or Firenzuola lines, which also surround Bormla.
The Floriana Lines are a line of fortifications in Floriana, Malta, which surround the fortifications of Valletta and form the capital city's outer defences. Construction of the lines began in 1636 and they were named after the military engineer who designed them, Pietro Paolo Floriani. The Floriana Lines were modified throughout the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, and they saw use during the French blockade of 1798–1800. Today, the fortifications are still largely intact but rather dilapidated and in need of restoration.
Saint Julian's Tower, originally known as Torre di San Giuliano and also known as Sliema Tower, is a small watchtower in Sliema, Malta. It was completed in 1658 as the fifth of the 13 De Redin towers. An artillery battery was built around the tower in 1715. Today, the tower and the remains of the battery are a restaurant.
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San Rocco Battery was an artillery battery in Kalkara, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. It was the last in a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour. It was built to control the entrance to the harbour as well as the French occupied Fort Ricasoli. The battery was continually being fired upon by the French at Fort Ricasoli, which was located about 700 m (2,300 ft) away.
Tas-Samra Battery was an artillery battery in Ħamrun, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. It was part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.
The Żabbar Batteries and Redoubt were a series of artillery batteries and a redoubt in Żabbar, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. They formed part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.
The Corradino Batteries were a series of artillery batteries on Corradino Heights, near Paola, Malta, that were built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. The batteries formed part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.
Tal-Borg Battery was an artillery battery near Tarxien, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. It was part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.
The Santa Margherita Lines, also known as the Firenzuola Lines, are a line of fortifications in Cospicua, Malta. They were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to protect the land front defences of the cities of Birgu and Senglea. A second line of fortifications, known as the Cottonera Lines, was later built around the Santa Margherita Lines, while the city of Cospicua was founded in the 18th century within the Santa Margherita and Cottonera Lines.
The fortifications of Valletta are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround Valletta, the capital city of Malta. The first fortification to be built was Fort Saint Elmo in 1552, but the fortifications of the city proper began to be built in 1566 when it was founded by Grand Master Jean de Valette. Modifications were made throughout the following centuries, with the last major addition being Fort Lascaris which was completed in 1856. Most of the fortifications remain largely intact today.
The fortifications of Mdina are a series of defensive walls which surround Mdina, the former capital city of Malta from antiquity to the medieval period. The city was founded as Maleth by the Phoenicians in around the 8th century BC, and it later became part of the Roman Empire under the name Melite. The ancient city was surrounded by walls, but very few remains of these have survived.
The fortifications of Birgu are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Birgu, Malta. The first fortification to be built was Fort Saint Angelo in the Middle Ages, and the majority of the fortifications were built between the 16th and 18th centuries by the Order of Saint John. Most of the fortifications remain largely intact today.
The fortifications of Senglea are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Senglea, Malta. The first fortification to be built was Fort Saint Michael in 1552, and the majority of the fortifications were built over the next decade when it was founded by Grand Master Claude de la Sengle. Modifications continued until the 18th century, but large parts of the fortifications were demolished between the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, all that remain of Senglea's fortifications are the seaward bastions and part of the land front.
The National Congress Battalions, also known as the Truppe di Campagna, was an irregular military set up in Malta just after the Maltese rebellion against French rule in September 1798. It existed for two years before being disbanded on 11 September 1800.
Michele Cachia was a Maltese architect and military engineer. He is also known for his role during the Maltese uprising of 1798–1800.
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