List of fortifications in Malta

This is a list of fortifications of Malta.[1]

Map of the fortifications of the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett in 1803.

Prehistoric fortifications

NameImageLocationBuiltStatus
Baħrija RabatBronze AgeScant remains[2]
Borġ in-Nadur Birżebbuġac.1450 BCOne bastion intact[3]
Nuffara XagħraBronze AgeScant remains[2]
QortinSt. Paul's BayBronze AgeScant remains[2]
Ras il-ĠebelMġarrBronze AgeScant remains[3]
Wardija ta' San ĠorġSiġġiewiBronze AgeScant remains[3]

Walled cities

NameImageLocationBuiltBuilderStatus
Birgu Birguc.13th–18th centuries Order of Saint JohnMostly intact, undergoing restoration
Cittadella VictoriaAntiquity–1622[4] Crown of Aragon
Order of Saint John
Intact. According to Ramon Muntaner (1283) a prominent Aragonite tower existed on the site in the whereabouts of the arch/remains of a Siculo-Norman style villa.[5] A number of outer towers were places outside the Citadel.[6]
Cottonera Lines Cospicua
Birgu
1670–18th century Order of Saint JohnMostly intact[7]
Floriana Lines Floriana1635–18th century Order of Saint JohnMostly intact[8]
Mdina MdinaAntiquity–1746 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Santa Margherita Lines Cospicua1638–1736 Order of Saint John[a]Partially intact
Senglea Senglea1552–18th century Order of Saint John[a]Partially intact
Valletta Valletta1566–1570s Order of Saint John[a]Mostly intact, partially restored

Forts

NameImageLocationBuiltBuilderStatus
Fort Benghisa Birżebbuġa1910–1912 United KingdomIntact, neglected
Fort Binġemma Rabat1875–1878 United KingdomIntact, illegally occupied
Fort Campbell Mellieħa1937–1938 United KingdomRuins
Fort Chambray Għajnsielem1749–1760s Order of Saint JohnIntact, redeveloped[9]
Fort Delimara Marsaxlokk1876–1888 United KingdomIntact, restoration proposed
Fort Leonardo Żabbar1872–1878 United KingdomIntact, restoration proposed
Fort Madalena Swieqi1878–1880 United KingdomIntact, used as a rescue corps headquarters and training school[10]
Fort Manoel Gżira1723–1733 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Fort MellieħaMellieħa1940s United KingdomIntact, restored
Fort Mosta Mosta1878–1880s United KingdomIntact, used as an ammunition depot
Fort Pembroke Pembroke1875–1878 United KingdomIntact, used as a school
Fort Ricasoli Kalkara1670–1693 Order of Saint JohnIntact, neglected
Fort Saint Angelo Birgu13th century–1690s Order of Saint JohnIntact, undergoing restoration
Fort Saint Elmo Valletta1552–1570s Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Fort San Lucian Marsaxlokk1872–1878 United Kingdom[b]Intact, used as an aquaculture research centre
Fort Saint Michael Senglea1552–1581 Order of Saint JohnDemolished, part of the base survives
Fort Saint Rocco Kalkara1872–1900 United KingdomIntact
Fort San Salvatore Birgu1724 Order of Saint JohnIntact, neglected
Fort Tas-Silġ Marsaxlokk1879–1883 United KingdomIntact, used as an animal sanctuary
Fort Tigné Sliema1793–1795 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Fort Verdala Cospicua1852–1856 United KingdomIntact, used as housing estates and a school

Towers

NameImageLocationBuiltBuilderStatus
Castro InterioreBirguc. 1274AngevinsModified[11]
Birgu Clock Tower BirguMedieval-Order of St JohnModified to be used as a clock tower and then destroyed in WWII
Burmarrad TowerBurmarrad1494Replaced by another tower in 1618 in the close proximity[12]
Aħrax Tower Mellieħa1658 Order of Saint JohnIntact, abandoned
Bengħisa TowerBirżebbuġa1659 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Birkirkara Tower Birkirkarac. 16th centuryIntact
Blat Mogħża TowerMġarrc. 1637 Order of Saint JohnCollapsed
Captain's Tower Naxxarc. 1550s Order of Saint JohnIntact
Cavalier Tower QrendiUnknownUnknownIntact
Delimara Tower Marsaxlokk1659 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Dwejra Tower San Lawrenz1652 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Garzes TowerGħajnsielem1605–1607 Order of Saint JohnDemolished[13]
Għajn Ħadid Tower Mellieħa1658 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Għajn Tuffieħa Tower Mġarr1637 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Għallis Tower Naxxar1658 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Ħamrija Tower Qrendi1659 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Isopu Tower Nadur1667 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Lippija Tower Mġarr1637 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Madliena Tower Pembroke1658 Order of Saint John[a]Intact, restored
Marsalforn TowerXagħra1614–1616 Order of Saint JohnCollapsed, some ruins remain
Mġarr ix-Xini Tower Għajnsielem1661 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Nadur Tower Rabat1637 Order of Saint JohnIntact
Orsi TowerKalkara1629 Order of Saint JohnDestroyed
Qawra Tower St. Paul's Bay1638 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a restaurant
Saint Agatha's Tower Mellieħa1647–1649 Order of Saint JohnIntact
Saint George's Tower St. Julian's1638 Order of Saint John[a]Intact, in the grounds of a hotel
Saint Julian's Tower Sliema1658 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a restaurant
Saint Lucian Tower Marsaxlokk1610–1611 Order of Saint John[a]Intact, used as an aquaculture research centre
Saint Mark's Tower Naxxar1658 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Saint Mary's Tower Għajnsielem1618 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower Xgħajra1620 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Saint Thomas Tower Marsaskala1614 Order of Saint JohnIntact
Sciuta Tower Qrendi1638 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restoration planned
Torre dello Standardo Mdina1725-1726 Order of Saint JohnIntact
Tal-Għassiewi Tower[14]Zabbar[15]Arab periodRuins
Tal-Wejter Tower Birkirkara17th or 18th century Order of Saint JohnIntact
Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower Żabbar1659 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Wardija Tower Żurrieq1659 Order of Saint JohnIntact
Wignacourt Tower St. Paul's Bay1610 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a museum
Xlendi Tower Munxar1650 Order of Saint JohnIntact, undergoing restoration
Xrobb l-Għaġin TowerMarsaxlokk1659 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Żonqor TowerMarsaskala1659 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Għajn Żnuber Tower MellieħaUnknownPossible a dejma post in origins; present structure a 19th-century watch towerIntact, partially restored and partially reconstructed
Wied Żnuber TowerBirżebbuġa16th century Order of Saint JohnUnknown (no longer exists)[16]

Notes:

Batteries

NameImageLocationBuilt[c]BuilderStatus
Aħrax Tower & Battery Mellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, abandoned
Arrias Battery St. Paul's Bay1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a restaurant
Balbani BatteryBirżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Buġibba Battery St. Paul's Bay1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished, ditch survives
Cambridge Battery Sliema1878–1886 United KingdomIntact, restoration planned
Capuchin Convent Battery Kalkara1799 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Corradino Batteries Paola1798–1799 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Delimara Tower & BatteryMarsaxlokk1793 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Della Grazie Battery Xgħajra1888–1893 United KingdomIntact, restoration planned
Dellia Battery St. Paul's Bay1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Elminiech BatteryBirżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Fedeau BatteryMellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Ferretti Battery Birżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a restaurant[17]
Garden Battery Sliema1889–1894 United KingdomIntact, restoration planned
Għallis BatteryNaxxar1715 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Għargħar Battery San Ġwann1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Jesuit Hill Battery Marsa1799 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Lascaris Battery Valletta1854–1856 United KingdomIntact
Lembi BatterySliema1757 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Maħsel BatteryMarsaskala1714 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Marsa Battery Marsa1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Mistra Battery Mellieħa1761 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Pembroke Battery Pembroke1897–1899 United KingdomPartially demolished, one gun emplacement survives.
Pinto Battery Birżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnHeavily altered
Qalet Marku Battery Naxxar1715 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Qawra Tower & Battery St. Paul's Bay1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a restaurant and swimming pool
Qolla l-Bajda Battery Żebbuġ, Gozo1716 Order of Saint JohnIntact, abandoned
Ramla Left Battery Xagħra1715 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Ramla Right Battery Nadur1715 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Riħama Battery Marsaskala1714 Order of Saint JohnMostly intact, restoration planned
Rinella Battery Kalkara1878–1886 United KingdomIntact, restored
Saint Anthony's Battery Qala1731–1732 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Saint Julian's Tower & Battery Sliema1715 Order of Saint JohnBattery partially intact, tower intact
Saint Lucian Tower & Battery Marsaxlokk1715 Order of Saint JohnBattery demolished, tower intact
Saint Mary's Battery Għajnsielem1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Saint Mary's BatteryŻebbuġ, Gozo1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Saint Paul's Battery Marsaxlokk1881–1886 United KingdomIntact, abandoned
Saint Peter's BatteryKalkara1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
San Petronio BatteryKalkara1602 Order of Saint JohnDestroyed, ditch survives
San Rocco Battery Kalkara1798–1799 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Saint Thomas Tower & Battery Marsaskala1715 Order of Saint JohnTower intact, battery rebuilt on modern interpretative lines.
Saluting Battery Valletta1560s Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Sliema BatteriesSliema1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Sliema Point Battery Sliema1872–1876 United KingdomIntact, used as a restaurant
Spinola BatterySt. Julian's1889–1894 United KingdomDemolished
Ta' Għemmuna BatterySt. Julian's1799 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Tal-Borg Battery Tarxien1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Tarġa Battery Mosta
St. Paul's Bay
1887–1890s United KingdomIntact, restoration planned
Tas-Samra Battery Ħamrun1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished. The church around which the battery was built still exists.
Tombrell BatteryMarsaxlokk1722 Order of Saint JohnDemolished, ditch survives
Vendôme BatteryMellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, dilapidated
Westreme Battery Mellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnBlockhouse intact, gun platform destroyed
Wied Musa Battery Mellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnGun platform intact, blockhouse heavily altered
Wignacourt Tower & Battery St. Paul's Bay1715 Order of Saint JohnBattery mostly intact, tower intact
Wilġa Battery Marsaxlokk1714 Order of Saint JohnBlockhouse intact, gun platform destroyed
Wolseley Battery Marsaxlokk1897–1899 United KingdomIntact
Żabbar Batteries Żabbar1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished
Żejtun Batteries Żejtun1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished (one cannon remains)
Żonqor Battery Marsaskala1882–1886 United KingdomIntact, used as a farm

Notes:

  • Batteries located within larger fortifications are not included in the above list unless they are notable in their own right. Such batteries include:
  • Anti-aircraft batteries built in World War II are also not included.

Redoubts

NameImageLocationBuilt[c]BuilderStatus
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt Naxxar1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a bar[18]
Briconet Redoubt Marsaskala1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a police station
Crivelli RedoubtMellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Del Fango RedoubtMarsaxlokk1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Fresnoy RedoubtBirżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished[17]
Marsalforn Tower Xagħra1720 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Mellieħa RedoubtMellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Perellos RedoubtSt. Paul's Bay1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Qalet Marku RedoubtNaxxar1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Qortin RedoubtMellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnPartially intact
Ramla Redoubt Xagħra1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Saint George Redoubt Birżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact[17]
Saint Lucian RedoubtMarsaxlokk1799 Kingdom of Great BritainDemolished
Saint Mary's RedoubtGħajnsielem1716 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
San Rocco RedoubtKalkara1799 Kingdom of Great BritainDemolished
Spinola RedoubtBirżebbuġa1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished[17]
Tal-Bir Redoubt Mellieħa1715 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Vendôme Tower Marsaxlokk1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, used as a football club headquarters
Windmill Redoubt Żabbar1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished. The windmill around which the redoubt was built still exists.
Ximenes Redoubt Naxxar1715 Order of Saint JohnIntact, restored
Xwejni RedoubtŻebbuġ, Gozo1715 Order of Saint JohnDemolished
Żabbar Redoubt Żabbar1798 Maltese insurgentsDemolished

Entrenchments

NameImageLocationBuilt[c]BuilderStatus
Bengħisa EntrenchmentBirżebbuġa1761 Order of Saint JohnDemolished[17]
Birżebbuġa EntrenchmentBirżebbuġa1761 Order of Saint JohnPartially intact
Falca Lines Mġarr
St. Paul's Bay
1723–1732 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Għajn Tuffieħa EntrenchmentMġarr Order of Saint JohnPartially intact
Louvier EntrenchmentMellieħa1761 Order of Saint JohnNever completed
Largely intact
Madliena EntrenchmentNaxxar Order of Saint JohnShort stretch intact
Naxxar Entrenchment Naxxar1722 Order of Saint JohnPartially intact
Qawra Point Entrenchment St. Paul's Bay1761 Order of Saint JohnShort stretch survives in ruins
Qbajjar EntrenchmentŻebbuġ, Gozo Order of Saint JohnFew remains survive
Ramla EntrenchmentXagħra1720 Order of Saint JohnFew remains survive
Saint Julian's Entrenchment St. Julian's Order of Saint JohnShort stretch intact
Saint Lucian EntrenchmentMarsaxlokk1799 Kingdom of Great BritainDemolished
Spinola Entrenchment St. Julian's1761 Order of Saint JohnPartially intact
Ta' Kassisu EntrenchmentMellieħa1761 Order of Saint JohnNever completed
Largely intact
Xgħajra EntrenchmentŻabbar1761 Order of Saint JohnShort stretches intact
Xrobb l-Għaġin EntrenchmentMarsaxlokk1761 Order of Saint JohnRuins
Żewwieqa Entrenchment Għajnsielem1761 Order of Saint JohnRuins

Notes:

  • Entrenchments were originally planned to be built around the entire coastline of the Maltese Islands. The ones listed here are those of which some remains survive, or which are definitely known to have existed.

Lines of fortification

NameImageLocationBuiltBuilderStatus
Corradino Lines Paola1871–1880 United KingdomMostly intact
Victoria Lines Rabat
Mġarr
Mosta
Naxxar
Għargħur
1875–1899 United KingdomPartially intact[19]

Notes:

Stop walls

Fortified houses and privately built towers

NameImageLocationBuiltBuilderStatus
Sant'Angelo TowerBirżebbuġa1702 or 1775VianiDestroyed during WWII[20]
Armoury SiġġiewiIntact
Bubaqra Tower Żurrieqc. 1579Don Matteolo PisaniIntact
Cardona Tower GħarbCardona familyIntact. Built before 1649.[21] Also known as tas-Sarretta Tower.[22] Intact but machicolations removed. They appear to were still partially intact on 21 August 1933.[23]
Castello Lanzun San Ġwann15th century–1713Wenzu LanzunIntact
Gauci Tower Naxxar16th centuryFrancesco GauciIntact
Gourgion TowerXewkija1690Giovanni GourgionDemolished, some stonework survives
Ingraw Tower Żejtun1603Clemente TaboneDismantled; stonework used to build farmhouses[24][25]
Mamo Tower Marsaskala1657Gregorio and Giorgio MamoIntact, restored
Mari ta’ Qerqni TowerBirżebbuġaUnclearIntact, converted into a farmhouse
Sant'Antnin TowerŻejtunDestroyed during WWII[25]
Santa Cecilia Tower Għajnsielem1613Fra Bernardo MacedoniaIntact
Ta' Bettina Tower Marsaxlokkc. 1740D'Aurel FamilyIntact
Tal-Buttar Tower MarsaskalaIntact and used as a rural building with a close by watermill.[26]
Tal-Gardiel Tower MarsaskalaIntact
Tal-Mozz Tower Żejtun1628Intact.[25] Also known as Tal-Kwies Tower.[27]
Wied il-Qoton TowerBirżebbuġa18th centuryUnprofessionally modified in 1758
Verdala Palace Siġġiewi1586Hugues Loubenx de VerdalleIntact

Notes

References

External links