List of fortifications of Malta

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This is a list of fortifications of Malta.

Prehistoric fortifications

Name Image Location Built Status
Baħrija 150px Rabat Bronze Age Scant remains
Borġ in-Nadur Borg in-Nadur ruins.jpeg Birżebbuġa c.1450 BC One bastion intact
Nuffara 150px Xagħra Bronze Age Scant remains
Qortin St. Paul's Bay Bronze Age Scant remains
Ras il-Ġebel Mġarr Bronze Age Scant remains
Wardija ta' San Ġorġ Siġġiewi Bronze Age Scant remains

Walled cities

Name Image Location Built Builder Status
Birgu Malta - Birgu - Fort Saint Angelo (Triq is-Sur ta' Santa Barbara) 01 ies.jpg Birgu c.13th–18th centuries Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Mostly intact, undergoing restoration
Cittadella Citadella, Victoria (Gozo).png Victoria Antiquity–1622 Crown of Aragon
Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John
Intact, undergoing restoration
Cottonera Lines Cospicua
Birgu
1670–18th century Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Mostly intact
Floriana Lines Malta - Floriana - Triq Sa Maison - Sa Maison Bastion (MSTHC) 02 ies.jpg Floriana 1635–18th century Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Mostly intact
Mdina Aerial view Mdina, Malta.jpg Mdina Antiquity–1746 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Santa Margherita Lines Malta; view from the Cotonera fortifications. Etching by M-A Wellcome L0019023.jpg Cospicua 1638–1736 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John[lower-alpha 1] Partially intact
Senglea 150px Senglea 1552–18th century Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John[lower-alpha 1] Partially intact
Valletta 150px Valletta 1566–1570s Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John[lower-alpha 1] Mostly intact, partially restored

Forts

Name Image Location Built Builder Status
Fort Benghisa 150px Birżebbuġa 1910–1912 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, neglected
Fort Binġemma Malta - Rabat - Fort Bingemma 06 ies.jpg Rabat 1875–1878 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, illegally occupied
Fort Campbell 150px Mellieħa 1937–1938 United Kingdom United Kingdom Ruins
Fort Chambray Sudika Fort Chambray panorama.jpg Għajnsielem 1749–1760s Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, redeveloped
Fort Delimara 150px Marsaxlokk 1876–1888 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restoration proposed
Fort Leonardo 150px Żabbar 1872–1878 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restoration proposed
Fort Madalena 150px Swieqi 1878–1880 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as a rescue corps headquarters and training school
Fort Manoel Malta - Gzira - Manoel Island - Fort Manoel (Ferry Sliema-Valletta) 02 ies.jpg Gżira 1723–1733 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Fort Mellieħa Mellieħa 1940s United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restored
Fort Mosta 150px Mosta 1878–1880s United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as an ammunition depot
Fort Pembroke Pembroke 1875–1878 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as a school
Fort Ricasoli Sudika Kalkara Fort Ricasoli.jpg Kalkara 1670–1693 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, neglected
Fort Saint Angelo Malta - Birgu - Fort Saint Angelo (Upper Barrakka Gardens) 01 ies.jpg Birgu 13th century–1690s Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, undergoing restoration
Fort Saint Elmo 150px Valletta 1552–1570s Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Fort San Lucian 150px Marsaxlokk 1872–1878 United Kingdom United Kingdom[lower-alpha 2] Intact, used as an aquaculture research centre
Fort Saint Michael Malta - Senglea - Triq il-Mons. Panzavecchia + Main Gate + Fort Saint Michael 02 ies.jpg Senglea 1552–1581 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished, part of the base survives
Fort Saint Rocco Kalkara 1872–1900 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact
Fort San Salvatore Birgu 1724 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, neglected
Fort Tas-Silġ Malta - Marsaxlokk - Triq Delimara - Fort Tas-Silg 10 ies.jpg Marsaxlokk 1879–1883 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as an animal sanctuary
Fort Tigné 150px Sliema 1793–1795 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Fort Verdala Cospicua 1852–1856 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as housing estates and a school

Towers

Name Image Location Built Builder Status
Aħrax Tower Malta - Mellieha - Triq ir-Ramla tat-Torri l-Abjad - Armier Tower 02 ies.jpg Mellieħa 1658 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, abandoned
Bengħisa Tower Birżebbuġa 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Birkirkara Tower 150px Birkirkara c. 16th century Intact
Blat Mogħża Tower Mġarr c. 1637 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Collapsed
Captain's Tower 150px Naxxar c. 1550s Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Cavalier Tower TurmQrendi.jpg Qrendi Unknown Unknown Intact
Delimara Tower Marsaxlokk 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Dwejra Tower 150px San Lawrenz 1652 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Garzes Tower Għajnsielem 1605–1607 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Għajn Ħadid Tower Ghajn Hadid Tower closer view.JPG Mellieħa 1658 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Għajn Tuffieħa Tower Malta - Mgarr - Triq Ghajn Tuffieha - Ghajn Tuffieha Tower 03 ies.jpg Mġarr 1637 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Għallis Tower Malta Ghallis one.JPG Naxxar 1658 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Ħamrija Tower 150px Qrendi 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Isopu Tower Torri ta Sopu.jpg Nadur 1667 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Lippija Tower 150px Mġarr 1637 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Madliena Tower 150px Pembroke 1658 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John[lower-alpha 1] Intact, restored
Marsalforn Tower Xagħra 1614–1616 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Collapsed, some ruins remain
Mġarr ix-Xini Tower 150px Għajnsielem 1661 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Nadur Tower 150px Rabat 1637 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Qawra Tower 150px St. Paul's Bay 1638 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a restaurant
Saint Agatha's Tower 150px Mellieħa 1647–1649 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Saint George's Tower 150px St. Julian's 1638 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John[lower-alpha 1] Intact, in the grounds of a hotel
Saint Julian's Tower Malta - Sliema - Triq it-Torri - St. Julian's Tower 03 ies.jpg Sliema 1658 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a restaurant
Saint Lucian Tower Marsaxlokk-stlucianstower-237.jpg Marsaxlokk 1610–1611 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John[lower-alpha 1] Intact, used as an aquaculture research centre
Saint Mark's Tower Malta - Naxxar - St. Mark's Tower peninsula - St. Mark's Tower 01 ies.jpg Naxxar 1658 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Saint Mary's Tower Malta - Ghajnsielem - Comino - St. Mary's Tower 07 ies.jpg Għajnsielem 1618 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower Flag of Xghajra.svg Xgħajra 1620 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Saint Thomas Tower 150px Marsaskala 1614 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Sciuta Tower 150px Qrendi 1638 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restoration planned
Torre dello Standardo 150px Mdina 1725 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Tal-Wejter Tower 150px Birkirkara 17th or 18th centuries Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower 150px Żabbar 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Wardija Tower Wardija tower 2.jpg Żurrieq 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Wignacourt Tower Malta - St. Paul's Bay - Triq San Frangisk-Triq San Giraldu - St. Paul's Bay Tower 05 ies.jpg St. Paul's Bay 1610 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a museum
Xlendi Tower 150px Munxar 1650 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, undergoing restoration
Xrobb l-Għaġin Tower Marsaxlokk 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Żonqor Tower Marsaskala 1659 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished

Notes:

Batteries

Name Image Location Built[lower-alpha 3] Builder Status
Aħrax Tower & Battery 150px Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, abandoned
Arrias Battery 150px St. Paul's Bay 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a restaurant
Balbani Battery Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Buġibba Battery St. Paul's Bay 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished, ditch survives
Cambridge Battery Sliema 1878–1886 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restoration planned
Capuchin Convent Battery Kalkara 1799 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Corradino Batteries Paola 1798–1799 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Delimara Tower & Battery Marsaxlokk 1793 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Della Grazie Battery 150px Xgħajra 1888–1893 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restoration planned
Dellia Battery 150px St. Paul's Bay 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Elminiech Battery Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Fedeau Battery Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Ferretti Battery 150px Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a restaurant
Garden Battery 150px Sliema 1889–1894 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restoration planned
Għallis Battery Naxxar 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Għargħar Battery San Ġwann 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Jesuit Hill Battery Marsa 1799 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Lascaris Battery Malta - Valletta - Xatt Lascaris+SS Peter and Paul Bastion+custom house+Upper Barrakka Gardens (MSTHC) 01 ies.jpg Valletta 1854–1856 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact
Lembi Battery Sliema 1757 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Maħsel Battery Marsaskala 1714 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Marsa Battery Marsa 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Mistra Battery Malta - Mellieha - Triq il-Mistra - Mistra Coastal Battery 02 ies.jpg Mellieħa 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Pembroke Battery Pembroke 1897–1899 United Kingdom United Kingdom Partially demolished, one gun emplacement survives.
Pinto Battery 150px Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Heavily altered
Qalet Marku Battery Naxxar 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Qawra Tower & Battery 150px St. Paul's Bay 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a restaurant and swimming pool
Qolla l-Bajda Battery Qolla l-Bajda 02.jpg Żebbuġ, Gozo 1716 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, abandoned
Ramla Left Battery Xagħra 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Ramla Right Battery Nadur 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Riħama Battery 150px Marsaskala 1714 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Mostly intact, restoration planned
Rinella Battery 150px Kalkara 1878–1886 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restored
Saint Anthony's Battery Qala 1731–1732 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Saint Julian's Tower & Battery Malta - Sliema - Triq it-Torri - St. Julian's Tower 03 ies.jpg Sliema 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Battery partially intact, tower intact
Saint Lucian Tower & Battery 150px Marsaxlokk 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Battery demolished, tower intact
Saint Mary's Battery 150px Għajnsielem 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Saint Mary's Battery Żebbuġ, Gozo 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Saint Paul's Battery 150px Marsaxlokk 1881–1886 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, abandoned
Saint Peter's Battery Kalkara 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
San Rocco Battery Kalkara 1798–1799 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Saint Thomas Tower & Battery 150px Marsaskala 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Tower intact, battery rebuilt on modern interpretative lines.
Saluting Battery 150px Valletta 1560s Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Sliema Batteries Sliema 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Sliema Point Battery 150px Sliema 1872–1876 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as a restaurant
Spinola Battery St. Julian's 1889–1894 United Kingdom United Kingdom Demolished
Ta' Għemmuna Battery St. Julian's 1799 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Tal-Borg Battery Tarxien 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Tarġa Battery 150px Mosta
St. Paul's Bay
1887–1890s United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, restoration planned
Tas-Samra Battery Atocia Chapel Hamrun.jpeg Ħamrun 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished. The church around which the battery was built still exists.
Tombrell Battery Marsaxlokk 1722 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished, ditch survives
Vendôme Battery Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, dilapidated
Westreme Battery 150px Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Blockhouse intact, gun platform destroyed
Wied Musa Battery 150px Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Gun platform intact, blockhouse heavily altered
Wignacourt Tower & Battery 150px St. Paul's Bay 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Battery mostly intact, tower intact
Wilġa Battery 150px Marsaxlokk 1714 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Blockhouse intact, gun platform destroyed
Wolseley Battery Marsaxlokk 1897–1899 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact
Żabbar Batteries Żabbar 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Żejtun Batteries Żejtun 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished
Żonqor Battery Marsaskala 1882–1886 United Kingdom United Kingdom Intact, used as a farm

Notes:

Redoubts

Name Image Location Built[lower-alpha 3] Builder Status
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt 150px Naxxar 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a bar
Briconet Redoubt 150px Marsaskala 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a police station
Crivelli Redoubt Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Del Fango Redoubt Marsaxlokk 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Fresnoy Redoubt Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Marsalforn Tower Xagħra 1720 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Mellieħa Redoubt Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Perellos Redoubt St. Paul's Bay 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Qalet Marku Redoubt Naxxar 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Qortin Redoubt Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Partially intact
Ramla Redoubt Xagħra 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Saint George Redoubt 150px Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact
Saint Lucian Redoubt Marsaxlokk 1799 Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain Demolished
Saint Mary's Redoubt Għajnsielem 1716 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
San Rocco Redoubt Kalkara 1799 Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain Demolished
Spinola Redoubt Birżebbuġa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Tal-Bir Redoubt Mellieħa 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Vendôme Tower Malta - Marsaxlokk - Triq it-Torri Vendome 02 ies.jpg Marsaxlokk 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, used as a football club headquarters
Windmill Redoubt 150px Żabbar 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished. The windmill around which the redoubt was built still exists.
Ximenes Redoubt 150px Naxxar 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Intact, restored
Xwejni Redoubt Żebbuġ, Gozo 1715 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Żabbar Redoubt Żabbar 1798 Maltese insurgents Demolished

Entrenchments

Name Image Location Built[lower-alpha 3] Builder Status
Bengħisa Entrenchment Birżebbuġa 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Demolished
Birżebbuġa Entrenchment Birżebbuġa 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Partially intact
Falca Lines Mġarr
St. Paul's Bay
1723–1732 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Għajn Tuffieħa Entrenchment Mġarr Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Partially intact
Louvier Entrenchment Mellieħa 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Never completed
Largely intact
Madliena Entrenchment Naxxar Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Short stretch intact
Naxxar Entrenchment Part of the Naxxar Entrenchment v-shaped.jpeg Naxxar 1722 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Partially intact
Qawra Point Entrenchment St. Paul's Bay 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Short stretch intact
Qbajjar Entrenchment Żebbuġ, Gozo Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Few remains survive
Ramla Entrenchment Xagħra 1720 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Few remains survive
Saint Julian's Entrenchment St. Julian's Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Short stretch intact
Saint Lucian Entrenchment Marsaxlokk 1799 Kingdom of Great Britain Kingdom of Great Britain Demolished
Spinola Entrenchment St. Julian's 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Partially intact
Ta' Kassisu Entrenchment Mellieħa 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Never completed
Largely intact
Xgħajra Entrenchment Żabbar 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Short stretches intact
Xrobb l-Għaġin Entrenchment Marsaxlokk 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins
Żewwieqa Entrenchment Għajnsielem 1761 Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John Ruins

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

Name Image Location Built Builder Status
Corradino Lines 150px Paola 1871–1880 United Kingdom United Kingdom Mostly intact
Victoria Lines Victoria Lines Malta 1.jpg Rabat
Mġarr
Mosta
Naxxar
Għargħur
1875–1899 United Kingdom United Kingdom Partially intact

Notes:

Fortified houses and privately built towers

Name Image Location Built Builder Status
Armoury Siġġiewi Intact
Bubaqra Tower 150px Żurrieq c. 1579 Don Matteolo Pisani Intact
Castello Lanzun 150px San Ġwann 15th century–1713 Wenzu Lanzun Intact
Gauci Tower 150px Naxxar 16th century Francesco Gauci Intact
Gourgion Tower Xewkija 1690 Giovanni Gourgion Demolished, some stonework survives
Mamo Tower 150px Marsaskala 1657 Gregorio and Giorgio Mamo Intact, restored
Santa Cecilia Tower Għajnsielem 1613 Fra Bernardo Macedonia Intact
Ta' Ingraw Tower[1] 150px Zejtun 1603 Klement Tabone Dismantled; stonework used to built farmhouses
Tal-Mozz Tower[2] 150px Zejtun 1628
Sant’Antnin Tower[3] Zejtun Destroyed during WWII
Ta' Bettina Tower 150px Marsaxlokk c. 1740 D'Aurel Family Intact
Tal-Buttar Tower 150px Marsaskala Intact
Tal-Gardiel Tower Marsaskala Intact
Verdala Palace Building Malta.jpg Siġġiewi 1586 Hugues Loubenx de Verdalle Intact
Vincenti Tower 150px Mqabba 1726 Fra Orfeo de Vincenzo Partially intact

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Some alterations were made by the United Kingdom United Kingdom
  2. The fort was built around a tower of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Order of Saint John.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Some dates are approximate

References