Dellia Battery
| Dellia Battery | |
|---|---|
| Batterija tad-Dellija | |
| St. Paul's Bay, Malta | |
| 300px
Graphic reconstruction of Dellia Battery
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| 250px
Map of Dellia Battery
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Type | Artillery battery[lower-alpha 1] |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Coats of arms and inscription preserved as a monument Foundations possibly buried beneath modern road |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Demolished, 1924 |
Dellia Battery (Maltese: Batterija tad-Dellija), also known as Vendôme Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Vendôme) or Pwales Right Battery (Maltese: Batterija tal-Lemin tal-Pwales), was an artillery battery[lower-alpha 1] in Xemxija Bay, limits of St. Paul's Bay, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. It was demolished in 1924, but the coats of arms and inscription which were located above the main entrance still exist and are now a monument.
History
Dellia Battery was built in 1715 as part of the Order of Saint John's first building program of batteries and redoubts around the coasts of Malta. It was one of two batteries defending Xemxija Bay, the other one being Arrias Battery, which is still in existence.[1]
The battery consisted of a mostly rectangular gun platform with a rounded end, ringed by a low parapet. Its gorge was closed off by a rectangular blockhouse. The doorway was surmounted by the coats of arms of the Order, Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful and the Langue of France. The latter represented Philippe de Vendosme, who had a leading role in the construction of batteries in Malta.
In 1770, the battery was armed with six 6-pounder iron guns, and was supplied with 420 rounds of roundshot and 90 rounds of grapeshot. Three of its guns were removed by 1785.
In the early 20th century, the battery served as a summer residence for the consul-general of Austria-Hungary, Antonio Muscat Fenech. At this point, an extension was added to the battery, and it flew the Union jack and Austro-Hungarian ensign.[2]
Most of Dellia Battery was demolished in 1924 to make way for a new road, but the three escutcheons with coats of arms and a commemorative marble plaque which stood on the doorway were retained. The parapet was also retained, but it was eventually demolished after World War II when a roundabout was built in its place.[3]
Today, the only remains of the battery are the coats of arms and plaque which formerly stood on the doorway. These are mounted on a plinth on the side of the road.[4] In addition, the foundations possibly still exist, buried under the modern road.
The plinth containing the coats of arms and inscription is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.[3]
Gallery
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Dellija redoubt coat-of-arms.jpeg
Plinth with the coats of arms and inscription
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Delija Redoubt as monument.jpeg
Coats of arms, inscription and information post
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Dellija coat-of-arms and inscription.jpeg
Close up of the coats of arms and inscription
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Malta - St. Paul's Bay - Xatt il-Pwales 04 ies.jpg
Sign commemorating the battery
Further reading
- Stephen C. Spiteri (1994). Fortresses of the Cross: Hospitaller Military Architecture (1136-1798). Heritage Interpretation Services. p. 519. ISBN 9990996539. ISBN 9789990996531.
References
Notes
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dellia Battery. |
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing Maltese-language text
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Batteries in Malta
- St. Paul's Bay
- Castles and fortifications of the Knights Hospitaller
- Buildings and structures completed in 1715
- Buildings and structures demolished in 1924
- Demolished buildings and structures in Malta
- Limestone buildings in Malta
- National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
