Xwejni Redoubt Explained

Xwejni Redoubt
Native Name:Ridott tax-Xwejni
Location:Żebbuġ, Gozo, Malta
Type:Redoubt
Built:1715–1716
Builder:Order of Saint John
Materials:Limestone
Fate:Demolished

Xwejni Redoubt (Maltese: Ridott tax-Xwejni) was a redoubt in Xwejni Bay, limits of Żebbuġ, Gozo, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John between 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands.

The redoubt formed part of a chain of fortifications built to defend Marsalforn and nearby bays from Ottoman or Barbary attacks. Although the area was fortified by a number of towers, batteries, redoubts and entrenchments, all of these have been destroyed except for Qolla l-Bajda Battery between Qbajjar and Xwejni Bays.[1]

Xwejni Redoubt was unusual in the sense that it had a semicircular or rectangular platform, while most redoubts were pentagonal.[2]

No remains of the redoubt have survived.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bezzina. Joseph. Marsalforn Culture & History. Żebbuġ Local Council. 7 August 2015.
  2. Web site: Spiteri. Stephen C.. 18th Century Hospitaller Coastal Batteries. MilitaryArchitecture.com. 7 August 2015. 10 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20151108112214/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/18th-century-hospitaller-coastal-batteries.html . 8 November 2015.
  3. Camilleri. Alex. It-Toponomastika t'Għawdex: Ix-Xtut taż-Żebbuġ, l-Għasri, u l-Għarb. L-Imnara. 2009. 9. 2. 73. 7 August 2015. Għaqda tal-Folklor. mt.