The Żejtun Batteries (Maltese: Batteriji taż-Żejtun) were a series of artillery batteries in Żejtun, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. They were part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.[1]
| Żejtun Batteries | |
|---|---|
Batteriji taż-Żejtun | |
| Part of the French blockade batteries | |
| Żejtun, Malta | |
 A cannon used by one of the batteries | |
| Coordinates | 35°51′18.6″N 14°32′00.0″E / 35.855167°N 14.533333°E |
| Type | Artillery batteries |
| Site history | |
| Built | c. 1798 |
| Built by | Maltese insurgents |
| In use | c. 1798–1800 |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Demolished |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Malta (1798–1800) |
At least six small batteries were built:
- Della Croce Battery: This was located close to the parish church.
- Tal-Caspio Batteries: These were two batteries located close to St. Clement's Church. They were armed with two 8-pounder cannon.
- Tal-Fax Batteries: These were three batteries located close to St. Gregory's Church. They guarded the road to Marsaskala.
The architect Michele Cachia had a leading role in the construction of the batteries.
The Żejtun Batteries, like the other French blockade fortifications, were probably demolished soon after the end of the blockade. No traces of any of the batteries has survived.[2] However, a cannon used in one of the batteries still survives and is now found on the side of the Parish Church of the city, next to the Olive Tree Millennium Monument.[3]
References
edit- ^ "French Batteries" (PDF). wirtizzejtunartikli.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 17 Dec 2022.
- ^ Spiteri, Stephen C. (May 2008). "Maltese 'siege' batteries of the blockade 1798–1800" (PDF). Arx – Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification (6): 29–30. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "The Millennium Monument - The Olive Tree". Zejtun Local Council. Retrieved 8 June 2016.