Żabbar Batteries and Redoubt

The Żabbar Batteries and Redoubt (Maltese: Batteriji u Ridott ta' Ħaż-Żabbar) were a series of artillery batteries and a redoubt in Żabbar, Malta, built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. They formed part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.

Żabbar Batteries and Redoubt
Batteriji u Ridott ta' Ħaż-Żabbar
Part of the French blockade batteries
Żabbar, Malta
Reconstruction of the Żabbar Redoubt and one of the batteries by Stephen C. Spiteri at the Fortifications Interpretation Centre
Map of the batteries and redoubt in Żabbar
Coordinates35°52′30.3″N 14°32′02.1″E
TypeArtillery batteries and redoubt
Site history
Builtc. 1798
Built byMaltese insurgents
In usec. 1798–1800
MaterialsLimestone
FateDemolished
Battles/warsSiege of Malta (1798–1800)
Garrison information
Past
commanders		Clemente Ellul

Description and history

Żabbar was the closest Maltese city to the French-occupied harbour fortifications, and it was repeatedly bombarded from the Cottonera Lines. The inhabitants barricaded the streets and built batteries and a redoubt to protect the city from an attack. The fortifications of Żabbar consisted of:

  • a battery near the parish church, which was armed with two cannons
  • a battery blocking the road to the Notre Dame Gate
  • a battery and a redoubt blocking the southwest flank of the village. The redoubt was of the pietra a secco type, similar to one found at Saint Agatha's Tower.

The batteries were fitted with underground shelters or were covered over to protect the gun crews. They fell under the command of Clemente Ellul, and his deputies Giuseppe Cachia and Giuseppe Ellul.

Like the other French blockade fortifications, the Żabbar Batteries and Redoubt were probably demolished soon after the end of the blockade. No traces of the actual batteries or redoubt can be seen today, but some buildings which had been incorporated into the redoubt, including a windmill, still exist.[1]

References
  1. Spiteri, Stephen C. (May 2008). "Maltese 'siege' batteries of the blockade 1798–1800" (PDF). Arx – Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification (6): 32–33. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
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