Balbani Battery
Balbani Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Balbani), also known as Bengħisa Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Bengħisa) or Saint Catherine's Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Santa Katarina),[1] was an artillery battery in Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John on commands by Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca and was completed in 1721.[2] The battery was named for Cristoforo Balbani, who partially financed its construction.[3] It was one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.[4]
Balbani Battery was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Marsaxlokk Bay, which also included six other batteries, the large Saint Lucian Tower, two smaller De Redin towers, four redoubts and three entrenchments.[3] The nearest fortifications to Balbani Battery were Bengħisa Tower to the south and Fresnoy Redoubt to the west. Construction of the battery cost 1,855 scudi.[5] The mastermind of the battery was architect Burlemarch and at its completion it was armed with eight cannons.[2] It had a pentagonal platform with a blockhouse at the rear, which was also defended by a redan.[6]
The battery was demolished, and its site is now occupied by part of the Malta Freeport.[7] The land where it was is still called Ta' Balbani for the battery.[3]
References
- ^ Farrugia Randon, Stanley (2015). Heritage Saved – Din l-Art Ħelwa – 1965–2015. Luqa: Miller Distributors Ltd. p. 119. ISBN 9789995752132.
- ^ a b Guillaumier, Alfie (2005). Bliet u Rħula Maltin. Vol. 2. Klabb Kotba Maltin. p. 93. ISBN 99932-39-40-2.
- ^ a b c Camilleri, Alex. "It-Toponomastika ta' Malta: Il-Port ta' Marsaxlokk u Madwaru" (PDF). L-Imnara. 1 (32): 23–24.
- ^ de Boisgelin, Louis (1805). Ancient and Modern Malta: Containing a Full and Accurate Account of the Present State of the Islands of Malta and Goza, the History of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, Also a Narrative of the Events which Attended the Capture of These Islands by the French, and Their Conquest by the English: and an Appendix, Containing Authentic State Papers and Other Documents - Volume II. London: Richard Phillips. p. 189.
- ^ Spiteri, Stephen C. (18 October 2010). "St. Thomas Tower and Battery". MilitaryArchitecture.com. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- ^ Batterji u Ridotti (2)
- ^ "About Birzebbuga". birzebbuga.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
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Order of Malta
- Aħrax Tower & Battery
- Arrias Battery
- Balbani Battery^
- Buġibba Battery^
- De Guiral Battery
- Delimara Tower & Battery^
- Dellia Battery^
- Elminiech Battery^
- Fedeau Battery^
- Ferretti Battery
- Għallis Battery^
- Lembi Battery^
- Low Battery
- Maħsel Battery^
- Mistra Battery
- Orsi Battery^
- Pinto Battery
- Qalet Marku Battery^
- Qawra Tower & Battery
- Qolla l-Bajda Battery
- Ramla Left Battery^
- Ramla Right Battery^
- Riħama Battery
- St. Anthony's Battery
- St. Julian's Tower & Battery
- St. Lucian Tower & Battery^
- St. Mary's Battery (Comino)
- St. Mary's Battery (Marsalforn)^
- St. Thomas Tower & Battery
- Saluting Battery
- Tombrell Battery^
- Vendôme Battery
- Westreme Battery
- Wied Musa Battery
- Wignacourt Tower & Battery
- Wilġa Battery
Battalions
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