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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The fortifications of Senglea (Maltese: Is-Swar tal-Isla) are a series of defensive walls and other fortifications which surround the city of Senglea, Malta. The first fortification to be built was Fort Saint Michael in 1552, and the majority of the fortifications were built over the next decade when it was founded by Grand Master Claude de la Sengle. Modifications continued until the 18th century, but large parts of the fortifications were demolished between the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, all that remain of Senglea's fortifications are the seaward bastions and part of the land front.
Fortifications of Senglea | |
---|---|
Is-Swar tal-Isla | |
Senglea, Malta | |
Coordinates | 35°53′4.4″N 14°31′8.1″E |
Type | City wall |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Malta |
Condition | Partially intact |
Site history | |
Built | 1552–18th century |
Built by | Order of Saint John |
Materials | Limestone |
Battles/wars | Great Siege of Malta (1565) Siege of Malta (1798–1800) |
Senglea's fortifications have been on Malta's tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998, as part of the Knights' Fortifications around the Harbours of Malta.[1]
The city of Senglea and its fortifications were built as a result of the attack of 1551. After the attack, the Order of Saint John realized the need to build more defences, and a year later, two forts began to be built. The first of these was Fort Saint Elmo at the tip of the Sciberras Peninsula (now Valletta), while the second was Fort Saint Michael, which was built on a peninsula known as l'Isola. In 1553, the entire peninsula began to be surrounded by fortifications, and was later developed into a city. It was named Senglea after the ruling Grand Master, Claude de la Sengle.[2]
The city played an important role in the Great Siege of Malta of 1565, when it was repeatedly attacked by the invading Ottoman forces. It did not fall, and was given the title of Città Invicta (unconquered city). After the siege, the Order began to build its new capital of Valletta, and in the meantime Senglea was neglected. The architect Francesco Laparelli even proposed that the city should be razed. Eventually, this proposal was ignored and the city's defences were repaired, being completed by 1581.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, various outworks were added. In addition, the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines were built around Bormla, which helped increase the strength of the defensive position, but also reduced the importance of Senglea's and Birgu's land fronts.
Large parts of Senglea and Bormla fortifications in French creek were demolished and rebuilt to make way for part of the Malta Dockyard in Bormla during the 19th century. The land front was also heavily altered in the early 20th century, but the remaining fortifications were included on the Antiquities List of 1925.[3] The entire city, including parts of its fortifications, was severely damaged by aerial bombardment in World War II.[4]
Parts of the land front and the seaward bastions have been restored in recent years.[5][6]
Senglea's fortifications as they are today consist of (listed going clockwise from the land front to the Spur):
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