The Devil's Farmhouse

The Devil's Farmhouse

View of The Devil's Farmhouse
General information
Status Intact
Type Farmhouse
Stables
Architectural style Vernacular
Location Mellieha, Malta
Coordinates 35°57′21″N 14°20′59″E / 35.95583°N 14.34972°E / 35.95583; 14.34972
Named for The devil
Completed 18th century (part of it much before)
Technical details
Material Limestone
Floor count 1
Design and construction
Architect Unknown

The Devil's Farmhouse, also known in Maltese as Ir-Razzaett tax-Xitan,[1] and officially as Ir-Razzett Tax-Xjaten (The Farmhouse of the Devils),[2] is an 18th century farmhouse in Mellieha, Malta.[3] The farmhouse features two buildings being a horse stable and an animal raising room. A national Maltese myth claims the farmhouse was built by the devil, for which it derives its historic name.

Description

The farmhouse was built during the Order of St. John to be partially used as a traditional farmhouse and partially as a horse stable. It is found in an area known as Ta' Randa[4] very close to L-Ghar ta' Zamberat (Ta' Zamberat's Cave). The farmhouse stands away from urban development in isolation. Attributed to the farmhouse is a Maltese myth that the farmhouse was built by the devil (or devils) in one day (or three days).[5][6][7] The only architectural feature that gives the impression of relating to demonic icons are the two enclosed staircases, that lead to the roof of the stable, which are suggested to appear as two horns.[8][9] There is also a traditional carnival song that mentions Ta' Randa and the devil. It goes to say that the devil has the tail as long as ta' Randa. The song named Karnival (or poem) goes to say as the following:

Għax illum il-Karnival

Għax il-festa tax-xitan
Ix-xitan irid ikanta
Għandu denbu daqs ta' Randa.[10][11]

Architecture

The farmhouse has simple and modest architecture. Some features of the farmhouse are good examples of Maltese traditional architecture that include, roofs built with limestone slabs, animal feeding mangers and a one storey building.[12][13]

The farmhouse features two separate unconnected buildings that may have been built during different periods; a horse stable room and an animal raising room. The horse stable was built in the 18th century by the knights, while the animal room may have been built even before. At the site, within the front garden of the farmhouse, stand two traditional giren which are built for bird hunting. The building was used as a hunting lodge and as a cavallerizza[14] by the knights to keep their horses inside.[15]

Other later additions inside the building are the wooden beams that were introduced to support the limestone slabs. The farmhouse is in a dilapidated state and is in need of restoration. Some of the roofs already collapsed while other are expected to collapse unless intervention takes place.[16]

Cultural Heritage

The farmhouse is a national monument of architectonical significance.[17] The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has schedulled it as grade 1 national monument, that protects it from being demolished, altered or further developed but allowing the reconstruction of damaged parts.[18] The building is listed as part of the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands (NICPMI).[19]

Gallery

The Devil's Farmhouse
  1. ^ Camilleri, Alex, "Il-Mellieha u madwarna", p. 167.

References

  1. ↑ Zammit, Anne (2014), "Farmers and fireworks don’t mix", Times of Malta.
  2. ↑ Muscat, David (2913), "Mill-Migja tal-Gharab sa tmiem il-hakma tal-Ordni ta' San Gwann" Imperial Band Club, p.142.
  3. ↑ Huxley, Michael (1986), "The Geographical Magazine, Volume 58", Geographical Press, p. 314.
  4. ↑ "Ir-Razzett tax-Xitan"
  5. ↑ Camilleri, Alex, "Il-Mellieha u madwarna", p. 167.
  6. ↑ Evarist Bartolo, "The Legend of the Farmhouse the Devils Built", Malta Inside Out.
  7. ↑ Muscat, David (2013), "Mill-Migja tal-Gharab sa tmiem il-hakma tal-Ordni ta' San Gwann" Imperial Band Club, p.142.
  8. ↑ "Ir-Razzett tax-Xitan"
  9. ↑ Camilleri, Alex, "Il-Mellieha u madwarna", p. 167.
  10. ↑ Fenech, Doris, "Maltese Carnival".
  11. ↑ Fenech, Doris, "Maltese Carnival".
  12. ↑ Evarist Bartolo, "The Legend of the Farmhouse the Devils Built", Malta Inside Out.
  13. ↑ "Ir-Razzett tax-Xitan"
  14. ↑ "Ir-Razzett tax-Xitan"
  15. ↑ Camilleri, Alex, "Il-Mellieha u madwarna", p. 167.
  16. ↑ Said, Edward (2011), "Collapse of Naxxar building", Times of Malta.
  17. ↑ Said, Edward (2012), "Government urged to protect historic building facing collapse", Times of Malta.
  18. ↑ Zammit, Anne (2014), "Farmers and fireworks don’t mix", Times of Malta.
  19. ↑ "Ir-Razzett tax-Xitan"
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