Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Żejtun Batteries

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Type
  
Artillery batteries

Built by
  
Maltese insurgents

Materials
  
Limestone

Material
  
Limestone

Built
  
c. 1798

In use
  
c. 1798–1800

Fate
  
Demolished

The Żejtun Batteries (Maltese: Batteriji taż-Żejtun) were a series of artillery batteries in Żejtun, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. They were part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.

At least six small batteries were built:

  • Della Croce Battery: This was located close to the parish church.
  • Tal-Caspio Batteries: These were two batteries located close to St. Clement's Church. They were armed with two 8-pounder cannon.
  • Tal-Fax Batteries: These were three batteries located close to St. Gregory's Church. They guarded the road to Marsaskala.

    • The architect Michele Cachia had a leading role in the construction of the batteries.

    The Żejtun Batteries, like the other French blockade fortifications, were probably demolished soon after the end of the blockade. No traces of any of the batteries has survived.

    References

    Żejtun Batteries Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA