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Artillery battery in Malta From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ferretti Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Ferretti), also known as Qajjenza Battery (Maltese: Batterija tal-Qajjenza) or Saint George's Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' San Ġorġ),[1] is an artillery battery in the village of Qajjenza, within the limits of Birżebbuġa, in Malta.[2] It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. A restaurant exists within the walls of the battery, serving Mediterranean cuisine.
| Ferretti Battery | |
|---|---|
Batterija ta' Ferretti | |
| Qajjenza, Birżebbuġa, Malta | |
View of the Ferretti Battery from the landward side, showing the blockhouses and the redan | |
 Map of Ferretti Battery | |
| Coordinates | 35°49′57″N 14°32′2″E |
| Type | Artillery battery |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Controlled by | Private tenant |
| Open to the public | Yes (as a restaurant) |
| Condition | Intact |
| Website | ferretti.com.mt |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715–1716 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
Ferretti Battery was built in 1715-16 as part of the first building programme of coastal batteries in Malta. It 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 battery was named after the knight Francesco Maria Ferretti, who provided over 900 scudi for its construction.[4]
The battery consists of a semi-circular gun platform, with a parapet containing eight embrasures. Its gorge has two blockhouses linked by a redan, all of which are pierced by musketry loopholes. The redan contains the main entrance, which was surmounted by three coats of arms, now defaced. The battery was formerly covered by a shallow rock hewn ditch.
The battery was decommissioned sometime in the 19th century, and was later converted into a summer residence and a boathouse. The parapet with embrasures was demolished, while the ditch was converted into a moat filled with seawater. A high seawall was built around the battery.
Today, the battery is used as a restaurant, named Ferretti after the knight who built the battery. The restaurant serves typical Mediterranean cuisine, and is one of the most popular restaurants in the south of Malta.[5]
The structure itself is in a fair state of preservation. Some of the missing embrasures have been rebuilt, and despite some modern alterations, the structure still retains most of its features.[4]
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