| Dellija Redoubt | |
|---|---|
| St. Paul's Bay, Malta | |
 Sign commemorating the redoubt | |
| Coordinates | 35°56′42.1″N 14°23′7.9″E / 35.945028°N 14.385528°E |
| Type | Redoubt |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Demolished, 1924 |
The redoubt was located roughly at the centre of this photo
Dellija Redoubt, also known as Vendôme Battery or Pwales Right Battery, was a redoubt[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.
History[]
Dellija Redoubt was built in 1715 as part of the Order of Saint John's first building program of coastal fortifications. It was one of two redoubts defending Xemxija Bay.[1] The redoubt on the other side of the bay, known as Arrias Battery, still survives.
In the early 20th century, the redoubt served as a summer residence for the consul-general of Austria-Hungary, Antonio Muscat Fenech. At this point, an extension was added to the redoubt, and it flew the Union jack and Austro-Hungarian ensign.[2]
Dellija Redoubt 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.
Today, the only remains of the redoubt 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. In addition, the foundations possibly still exist, buried under the modern road.[3]
References[]
- ↑ "San Pawl il-Baħar". http://lc.gov.mt/Page.aspx?catid=53&pid=184&lid=1. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ↑ Mizzi, John A. (4 June 2012). "The Dellija redoubt". Times of Malta. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120204/letters/The-Dellija-redoubt.405213. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
- ↑ Mallia, Oliver (30 January 2012). "Delija coat of arms". Times of Malta. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120130/letters/Delija-coat-of-arms.404467. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
Notes
- ↑ Despite its other names, it was a redoubt and not an artillery battery.
External links[]
The original article can be found at Dellija Redoubt and the edit history here.