Della Grazie Battery
| Della Grazie Battery | |
|---|---|
| Xgħajra, Malta | |
|
Right hand ditch of the battery | |
| Coordinates | 35°53′9″N 14°32′58″E / 35.88583°N 14.54944°E |
| Type | Polygonal artillery battery |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public | No |
| Condition | Intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1888-1893 |
| Built by | British Empire |
| In use |
1893-1910 1940s |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Della Grazie Battery is an artillery battery in Xgħajra, Malta. It as built by the British between 1888 and 1893. The battery stands above the shore to the east of Grand Harbour, between Fort St. Rocco and Fort St. Leonardo. It now serves as the town hall for Xgħajra.
History
Construction of the battery started in October 1888 and was completed in March 1893, at a cost of £16,344. It was constructed to take advantage of the improved breech loading guns then coming into service. It was equipped with two 6 inch and two 10 inch breech loading guns in disappearing mounts.
The installation takes the form of a polygonal fort, irregular hexagonal in plan, with two caponniers defending the forward ditches. Access to the fort is via a gatehous and causway across the rear ditch.
The battery takes its name from the much earlier Wignacourt tower, the Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower that stood close to the present battery. The tower was demolished to clear the field of fire of the present battery.
The battery was abandoned in 1910 and its guns were removed.[1] However, in World War II the battery was used as a coastal defence search light battery. At this time some structures were added to accommodate the searchlights.[2]
Present day
The battery is now under the care of the Xgħajra Local Council. Part of the battery serves as the town hall for the locality,[3] while the rest of the battery is being restored in collaboration with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. It is planned that the battery will be opened to the public and form the focal point for a public space, Battery Park.[2]
Gallery
The gallery below shows views on an anti-clockwise tour of the exterior of the fort. The rear section of the left hand ditch and the right half or the rear ditch are private property and inaccessible to photograph.
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Layout of the Battery, detail from a sign beside the gate.
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The modern gate that closes off the causway.
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looking down the rear ditch away from the causeway.
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Looking along the rear ditch towards the causeway, where the musket ports that command the rear ditch, can be seen.
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The corner of the ditch, where the right hand ditch and the rear ditch meet
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Looking towards the rear of the battery along the right hand ditch.
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Looking down the forward ditch, along the line of fire of the right hand caponnier.
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View along the forward ditch looking towards the right hand caponnier.
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View along the forward ditch towards the left hand caponnier in the distance.
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Looking into the battery across the forward ditch.
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The bomb proof roof of the left hand caponnier.
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Looking down the left hand ditch of the battery, with the left caponnier nestling in the ditch.
References
- ↑ Forrest, Michael. "Della Grazie Battery 1888-1893". Victorian Forts and Artillery. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "General Xghajra History". Xgħajra Local Council. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008.
- ↑ "Contact Us". Xgħajra Local Council. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014.