The Armoury (Maltese: L-Armerija), also known as the Old Fortified House (Maltese: Id-Dar il-Fortifikata l-Antika), is a historic building in Siġġiewi, Malta, which was originally used as the residence of captain of the village, and it also served as an arsenal where the weapons of the local militia were stored. The last Grand Master of Malta was hosted in the building by the captain during the feast of the village.
After the departure of the Order the building was adaptively reused according to the exigencies of the village or governor but lost its original purpose. It was used as a temporal school in the village, being among the first public education buildings, before being vacated. Located at 127 Triq il-Kbira (formerly Royal Street), it is a historic landmark, a Grade II scheduled building and a listed monument.
History
The Armoury was purposely built as a defence post for the inhabitants of the village of Siggiewi.[1] The building was used as a guardhouse and a residence for the captain or Lieutenant of the district. He was responsible for the people and was aided by the trained villagers.[1] Their names were listed by the captain. The armoury was equipped with arms and other object for defence;[1] these would be distributed by the captain and used by him and the chosen villagers when need comes.[1] In general the use of arms took place when there were attacks on the village from the nearby Qormi and Zurrieq which are close to the sea.[1]
The Armoury is buttressed at ground floor and has another floor above. It has an arched entrance in the centre. An imposing open balcony is located above the doorway, and it is flanked by arrowslits on either side. The fortified building is complemented with three machicolations of which only the corbels and minor parts remain. The building is symmetric in design and feature traditional windows melitan moldings.[3][4]
^ abcdefgGuillaumier, Alfie (2005). Bliet u Rħula Maltin, Second Volume (in Maltese). Klabb Kotba Maltin. p. 805. ISBN99932-39-40-2.
^Gaullaumier, Alfie (1987). Bliet u Rħula Maltin (in Maltese). Valletta: Valletta Publishing & Promotion Co. Ltd. p. 778.
^ ab(PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 28 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2015.
^"Fortified Houses: The Ultimate Guide to Malta's Prolific Fort-Building History, Part 7". 28 June 2018.
January 07, 2023
armoury, siġġiewi, armoury, maltese, armerija, also, known, fortified, house, maltese, fortifikata, antika, historic, building, siġġiewi, malta, which, originally, used, residence, captain, village, also, served, arsenal, where, weapons, local, militia, were, . The Armoury Maltese L Armerija also known as the Old Fortified House Maltese Id Dar il Fortifikata l Antika is a historic building in Siġġiewi Malta which was originally used as the residence of captain of the village and it also served as an arsenal where the weapons of the local militia were stored The last Grand Master of Malta was hosted in the building by the captain during the feast of the village ArmouryL ArmerijaView of the ArmouryAlternative namesOld Fortified HouseGeneral informationStatusIntactTypeFortified houseLocationSiġġiewi MaltaCoordinates35 51 20 2 N 14 26 27 8 E 35 855611 N 14 441056 E 35 855611 14 441056OwnerPrivateTechnical detailsMaterialLimestoneFloor count2After the departure of the Order the building was adaptively reused according to the exigencies of the village or governor but lost its original purpose It was used as a temporal school in the village being among the first public education buildings before being vacated Located at 127 Triq il Kbira formerly Royal Street it is a historic landmark a Grade II scheduled building and a listed monument History EditThe Armoury was purposely built as a defence post for the inhabitants of the village of Siggiewi 1 The building was used as a guardhouse and a residence for the captain or Lieutenant of the district He was responsible for the people and was aided by the trained villagers 1 Their names were listed by the captain The armoury was equipped with arms and other object for defence 1 these would be distributed by the captain and used by him and the chosen villagers when need comes 1 In general the use of arms took place when there were attacks on the village from the nearby Qormi and Zurrieq which are close to the sea 1 Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim was welcomed at the Armoury when he visited the village feast of Siġġiewi in 1797 1 At one point the building also served as a primary school 1 2 Architecture Edit Remains of the machicolations The Armoury is buttressed at ground floor and has another floor above It has an arched entrance in the centre An imposing open balcony is located above the doorway and it is flanked by arrowslits on either side The fortified building is complemented with three machicolations of which only the corbels and minor parts remain The building is symmetric in design and feature traditional windows melitan moldings 3 4 It is scheduled as a Grade II Scheduled property and it is also listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands 3 References Edit a b c d e f g Guillaumier Alfie 2005 Bliet u Rħula Maltin Second Volume in Maltese Klabb Kotba Maltin p 805 ISBN 99932 39 40 2 Gaullaumier Alfie 1987 Bliet u Rħula Maltin in Maltese Valletta Valletta Publishing amp Promotion Co Ltd p 778 a b Old Fortified House PDF National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands 28 December 2012 Archived from the original PDF on 8 December 2015 Fortified Houses The Ultimate Guide to Malta s Prolific Fort Building History Part 7 28 June 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Armoury Siġġiewi amp oldid 1033931353, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
