Ferretti Battery

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 between 1715 and 1716 as one of a series of coastal 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
Coordinates35°49′57″N 14°32′2″E
TypeArtillery battery
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Malta
Controlled byPrivate tenant
Open to
the public		Yes (as a restaurant)
ConditionIntact
Websiteferretti.com.mt
Site history
Built1715–1716
Built byOrder of Saint John
MaterialsLimestone

History

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]

Defaced coats of arms above the battery's main entrance

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.

Present day
Interior of the restaurant

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]

  • The gun platform, now the restaurant's terrace
    The gun platform, now the restaurant's terrace
  • The moat and seawall
    The moat and seawall
  • The blockhouse and redan
    The blockhouse and redan
  • Musketry loopholes
    Musketry loopholes
  • Inside the restaurant with musketry loopholes used as small windows
    Inside the restaurant with musketry loopholes used as small windows
  • The moat
    The moat
  • The gun platform and parapet with embrasures
    The gun platform and parapet with embrasures
  • Modern entrance to the restaurant
    Modern entrance to the restaurant
  • The seawall with the battery in the background
    The seawall with the battery in the background
  • Original entrance to the battery
    Original entrance to the battery

References
  1. Farrugia Randon, Stanley (2015). Heritage Saved – Din l-Art Ħelwa – 1965–2015. Luqa: Miller Distributors Ltd. p. 118. ISBN 9789995752132.
  2. Dillon, Paddy (26 November 2013). Walking in Malta: 33 Routes on Malta, Gozo and Comino. Cicerone Press. pp. 52–. ISBN 978-1-84965-975-8.
  3. "Vendôme Tower" (PDF). Mare Nostrum. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  4. "Ferretti Battery". maltamilitary.0catch.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  5. "Ferretti". mydestination.com. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
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