Ferretti Battery Explained

Ferretti Battery
Native Name:Batterija ta' Ferretti
Location:Qajjenza, Birżebbuġa, Malta
Map:Ferretti Battery map.png
Image Mapsize:300px
Type:Artillery battery
Coordinates:35.8325°N 14.5339°W
Ownership:Government of Malta
Controlledby:Private tenant
Open To Public:Yes (as a restaurant)
Built:1715–1716
Builder:Order of Saint John
Materials:Limestone
Condition:Intact
Website:ferretti.com.mt

Ferretti Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Ferretti), also known as Qajjenza Battery (Maltese: Batterija tal-Qajjenza) or Saint George's Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' San Ġorġ),[1] is an artillery battery in the village of Qajjenza, within the limits of Birżebbuġa, in Malta.[2] 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.

History

Ferretti Battery was built in 1715-16 as part of the first building programme of coastal batteries in Malta. It was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Marsaxlokk Bay, which also included six other batteries, the large Saint Lucian Tower, two smaller De Redin towers, four redoubts and three entrenchments.[3] The battery was named after the knight Francesco Maria Ferretti, who provided over 900 scudi for its construction.[4]

The battery consists of a semi-circular gun platform, with a parapet containing eight embrasures. Its gorge has two blockhouses linked by a redan, all of which are pierced by musketry loopholes. The redan contains the main entrance, which was surmounted by three coats of arms, now defaced. The battery was formerly covered by a shallow rock hewn ditch.

The battery was decommissioned sometime in the 19th century, and was later converted into a summer residence and a boathouse. The parapet with embrasures was demolished, while the ditch was converted into a moat filled with seawater. A high seawall was built around the battery.

Present day

Today, the battery is used as a restaurant, named Ferretti after the knight who built the battery. The restaurant serves typical Mediterranean cuisine, and is one of the most popular restaurants in the south of Malta.[5]

The structure itself is in a fair state of preservation. Some of the missing embrasures have been rebuilt, and despite some modern alterations, the structure still retains most of its features.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Farrugia Randon. Stanley. Heritage Saved – Din l-Art Ħelwa – 1965–2015. 2015. Miller Distributors Ltd.. Luqa. 9789995752132. 118.
  2. Book: Dillon, Paddy. Walking in Malta: 33 Routes on Malta, Gozo and Comino. 26 November 2013. Cicerone Press. 978-1-84965-975-8. 52–.
  3. Web site: Vendôme Tower . Mare Nostrum . 14 June 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150531015138/http://www.eh4-marenostrum.net/virtualtour/Marsaxlokk/trail_2/09/Vendome-Tower.pdf . 31 May 2015 .
  4. Web site: Ferretti Battery. maltamilitary.0catch.com. 14 June 2015. 20 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160420130029/http://www.maltamilitary.0catch.com/html/ferretti_battery.html. dead.
  5. Web site: Ferretti. mydestination.com. 14 June 2015.