Saint Mary's Battery | |
---|---|
Batterija ta' Santa Marija | |
Comino, Malta | |
Coordinates | 36°00′24.1″N14°20′46.5″E / 36.006694°N 14.346250°E |
Type | Artillery battery |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Malta |
Operator | Din l-Art Ħelwa |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Intact |
Site history | |
Built | 1715–1716 |
Built by | Order of Saint John |
In use | 1715–before 1770 |
Materials | Limestone |
Saint Mary's Battery (Maltese : Batterija ta' Santa Marija), also known as Comino Battery (Maltese : Batterija ta' Kemmuna), is an artillery battery on the island of Comino in Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John between 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands.
Saint Mary's Battery was built in 1715–1716 to protect the South Comino Channel, in conjunction with Wied Musa Battery on mainland Malta. Construction of the battery cost a total of 1018 scudi. It has a semi-circular gun platform ringed by a parapet with eight embrasures facing the sea. The battery has a single blockhouse, where the ammunition was stored. This was placed diagonally along the land front so that its two outer faces functioned as a redan. The land front also contains musketry loopholes.
The battery was originally armed with two 24-pounder and four 6-pounder iron cannons, but it was abandoned by 1770. [1]
Prior to World War II, a Gozitan family lived in the battery. It was eventually abandoned, and a fig tree grew over the main entrance.
A few of the battery's cannons were dragged into the gorge beneath the battery, in an attempt to take them to a foundry for smelting. The two 24-pounders were left lying inside the battery since these were too heavy to cart away.
Unlike many similar coastal fortifications, the battery remained in a fair state of preservation, mainly due to its remote location. It was restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa between 1996 and 1997, and again between 2003 and 2004. During restoration, the roof of the blockhouse, which was in danger of collapsing, was repaired.
On 21 August 1997, a joint operation was carried out by the Armed Forces of Malta and the Royal Navy, in which a helicopter from HMS Illustrious and Maltese soldiers retrieved the cannons from the gorge beneath the battery and transported them back to the battery. [2] Reproductions of gun carriages were made, and the cannons were mounted on them once again. [3]
The battery is now open to the public all year round. [4]
Saint Mary's Tower, also known as the Comino Tower, is a large bastioned watchtower on the island of Comino in Malta. It was built in 1618, the fifth of six Wignacourt towers. The tower was used by the Armed Forces of Malta until 2002, and it is now in the hands of Din l-Art Ħelwa.
Qolla l-Bajda Battery is an artillery battery in Żebbuġ, Gozo, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. It retained its original layout until the late 1970s, when it was converted into a discothèque and snack bar known as Rook and major alterations were made to the battery. The building, in the midst of a legal battle between the government and a private company, is now abandoned and in a dilapidated state.
Saint Anthony's Battery is an artillery battery in Qala, Gozo, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1731 and 1732 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. It is one of only two surviving batteries on Gozo, the other one being Qolla l-Bajda Battery in Żebbuġ.
Mistra Battery, formerly also known as Despirasse Battery, is an artillery battery in Mistra Bay, Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in the 18th century as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands.
Westreme Battery, also known as ir-Rasus Battery or Mellieħa Right Battery, is a former artillery battery in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.
Ferretti Battery, also known as Qajjenza Battery or Saint George's Battery, is an artillery battery in the village of Qajjenza, within the limits of Birżebbuġa, in Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. A restaurant exists within the walls of the battery, serving Mediterranean cuisine.
Vendôme Battery, also known as Ta' Maċċu Battery, is an artillery battery near Armier Bay, limits of Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.
Wied Musa Battery, also known as Swatar Battery, is a former artillery battery in Marfa, limits of Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1714–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.
Fedeau Battery was an artillery battery in Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1714-16 as part of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands, and demolished in the 20th century.
Riħama Battery is an artillery battery in Marsaskala, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1714–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. The battery still exists, although it is in a dilapidated state with part of it having collapsed.
Pinto Battery, also known as Għżira Battery or Kechakara Battery, is a former artillery battery in Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. The battery has been heavily altered over time, and the blockhouse now houses a bar and a garage, while the gun platform and parapet have been largely destroyed, with only the general outline still visible.
Qalet Marku Battery, also known as D'Orbeau Battery, was an artillery battery in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, within the limits of Naxxar, Malta. It was built in 1715–1716 by the Order of Saint John as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. The battery has been largely destroyed, but some remains can still be seen.
Qalet Marku Redoubt was a redoubt in the limits of Naxxar, Malta. It was built in 1715–1716 by the Order of Saint John as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. It was demolished to make way for the coast road; its remains are possibly still buried under the road.
Buġibba Battery, also known as Elbene Battery, was an artillery battery in Buġibba, limits of St. Paul's Bay, Malta. It was built in the 18th century, by the Order of St. John, as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese islands. The battery no longer exists, but its rock-hewn ditch and some foundations can still be noticed.
Arrias Battery, also known as Xemxija Battery or Pwales Left Battery, is an artillery battery in Xemxija, limits of St. Paul's Bay, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. The battery still exists, although it has modern alterations, and it is used as a restaurant.
Ramla Right Battery, also known as Gironda Battery or Nadur Battery, was an artillery battery in Ramla Bay, in the limits of Nadur on the island of Gozo, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. The battery now lies in ruins.
Ramla Left Battery, also known as Belancourt Battery or Xagħra Battery, was an artillery battery in Ramla Bay, within the limits of Xagħra on the island of Gozo, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. The battery now lies in ruins.
Balbani Battery, also known as Bengħisa Battery or Saint Catherine's Battery, was an artillery battery in Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John on commands by Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca and was completed in 1721. The battery was named for Cristoforo Balbani, who partially financed its construction. It was one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.
Saint Mary's Redoubt, also known as Migart Redoubt, was a redoubt on the island of Comino in Malta. It was built, mainly with limestone, by the Order of Saint John in 1716 or 1761 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.
Saint Mary's Battery, also known as Qolla s-Safra Battery or Gironda Battery, was an artillery battery in Marsalforn, limits of Żebbuġ, Gozo, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.