Qolla l-Bajda Battery
| Qolla l-Bajda Battery | |
|---|---|
| Marsalforn, Żebbuġ, Gozo, Malta | |
|
Qolla l-Bajda Battery | |
| Coordinates | 36°04′47.4″N 14°15′04.6″E / 36.079833°N 14.251278°E |
| Type | Artillery battery |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Open to the public | No |
| Condition | Intact but abandoned |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715–1716 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| In use |
1716–19th century 1940s |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Qolla l-Bajda Battery, also known as Xwejni Battery, is an artillery battery in 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. It is one of only two surviving batteries on Gozo, the other one being Saint Anthony's Battery in Qala.
History
Qolla l-Bajda Battery was built by the Order of Saint John in 1716 on the spur of land between the bays of Xwejni and Qbajjar. It was named after a nearby hillock known as Qolla l-Bajda (the White Hillock).[1] It was designed by the military engineers Jacques de Camus d'Arginy and Bernard de Fontet.[2]
The battery consists of a semi-circular gun platform ringed by a parapet with six embrasures, and two blockhouses joined together by a wall. The blockhouses had musket loopholes intended to protect the battery from a land attack. The main gate had a flight of steps and a drawbridge. The battery's seaward side was protected by a small ditch, and salt pans were located close by.[3]
It was initially armed with 6 guns, but in 1770, its armament consisted of four 6-pounder guns with 276 rounds of roundshot and 60 rounds of grapeshot.
The battery was abandoned in the 19th century, but was again used as Observation Post No. 5 during World War II.[4]
In 1979, the battery was rented to a private enterprise and was used as a discothèque. Various structures were added on the gun platform. The disco eventually closed and the battery has remained abandoned since then.[5]
Present day
The battery remains abandoned and in poor condition to this day.[6] The area around it, including the salt pans, is also in a dilapidated state.[7]
The battery was vandalized in 2013 when graffiti was sprayed over the facade. This has since been removed.[8]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qolla l-Bajda Battery. |
- ↑ "Qolla Bajda – The White Qolla – Marsalforn, Gozo". geulogy.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ "Marsalforn Culture & History". Żebbuġ Local Council. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ "Qolla l-Bajda Battery". visitgozo.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ "Il-Qolla Battery". Malta Military. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Vella, Fiona (13 March 2015). "Our damned cultural apathy". Little Rock. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
- ↑ Baumgartner, Beatrice (11 November 2013). "Qolla l-Bajda in the Haven of the Hillocks". bphotographyb.wordpress.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Theuma, Simon (8 October 2006). "Qolla Battery". Times of Malta. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Caruana Dingli, Petra (1 October 2013). "Qolla l-Bajda Battery". Din l-Art Ħelwa. Retrieved 15 January 2015.