Dellia Battery (Maltese: Batterija tad-Dellija), also known as Vendôme Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Vendôme) or Pwales Right Battery (Maltese: Batterija tal-Lemin tal-Pwales), was an artillery battery[a] in Xemxija Bay, limits of St. Paul's Bay, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands. It was demolished in 1924, but the coats of arms and inscription which were located above the main entrance still exist and are now a monument.
Dellia Battery was built in 1715 as part of the Order of Saint John's first building program of batteries and redoubts around the coasts of Malta. It was one of two batteries defending Xemxija Bay, the other one being Arrias Battery, which is still in existence.[1]
The battery consisted of a mostly rectangular gun platform with a rounded end, ringed by a low parapet. Its gorge was closed off by a rectangular blockhouse. The doorway was surmounted by the coats of arms of the Order, Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful and the Langue of France. The latter represented Philippe de Vendôme, who had a leading role in the construction of batteries in Malta.
In 1770, the battery was armed with six 6-pounder iron guns, and was supplied with 420 rounds of roundshot and 90 rounds of grapeshot. Three of its guns were removed by 1785.[2]
In the early 20th century, the battery was a summer residence for the consul-general of Austria-Hungary, Antonio Muscat Fenech. At this point, an extension was added to the battery, and it flew the Union Jack and Austro-Hungarian ensign.[2]
Most of Dellia Battery was demolished in 1924 to make way for a new road, but the three escutcheons with coats of arms and a commemorative marble plaque which stood on the doorway were retained. The parapet was also retained, but it was eventually demolished after World War II when a roundabout was built in its place.[3]
Plinth with the battery's coats of arms and inscription
Today, the only remains of the battery are the coats of arms and plaque which formerly stood on the doorway. These are mounted on a plinth on the side of the road.[4] In addition, the foundations possibly still exist, buried under the modern road.[3]
Spiteri, Stepehen C. (1994). Fortresses of the Cross: Hospitaller Military Architecture (1136-1798). Heritage Interpretation Services. p. 519. ISBN9789990996531.
Referencesedit
^. lc.gov.mt. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016.
^ abMizzi, John A. (4 June 2012). . Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
^ abc(PDF). National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands. 28 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2016.
^Mallia, Oliver (30 January 2012). . Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dellia Battery.
National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands[dead link]
April 12, 2024
dellia, battery, maltese, batterija, dellija, also, known, vendôme, battery, maltese, batterija, vendôme, pwales, right, battery, maltese, batterija, lemin, pwales, artillery, battery, xemxija, limits, paul, malta, built, order, saint, john, 1715, series, coas. Dellia Battery Maltese Batterija tad Dellija also known as Vendome Battery Maltese Batterija ta Vendome or Pwales Right Battery Maltese Batterija tal Lemin tal Pwales was an artillery battery a in Xemxija Bay limits of St Paul s Bay Malta It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the coasts of the Maltese Islands It was demolished in 1924 but the coats of arms and inscription which were located above the main entrance still exist and are now a monument Dellia BatteryBatterija tad DellijaSt Paul s Bay MaltaGraphic reconstruction of Dellia BatteryMap of Dellia BatteryCoordinates35 56 42 1 N 14 23 7 9 E 35 945028 N 14 385528 E 35 945028 14 385528TypeArtillery battery a Site informationConditionCoats of arms and inscription preserved as a monumentFoundations possibly buried beneath modern roadSite historyBuilt1715Built byOrder of Saint JohnMaterialsLimestoneFateDemolished 1924 Contents 1 History 2 Further reading 3 References 4 External linksHistory editDellia Battery was built in 1715 as part of the Order of Saint John s first building program of batteries and redoubts around the coasts of Malta It was one of two batteries defending Xemxija Bay the other one being Arrias Battery which is still in existence 1 The battery consisted of a mostly rectangular gun platform with a rounded end ringed by a low parapet Its gorge was closed off by a rectangular blockhouse The doorway was surmounted by the coats of arms of the Order Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful and the Langue of France The latter represented Philippe de Vendome who had a leading role in the construction of batteries in Malta In 1770 the battery was armed with six 6 pounder iron guns and was supplied with 420 rounds of roundshot and 90 rounds of grapeshot Three of its guns were removed by 1785 2 In the early 20th century the battery was a summer residence for the consul general of Austria Hungary Antonio Muscat Fenech At this point an extension was added to the battery and it flew the Union Jack and Austro Hungarian ensign 2 Most of Dellia Battery was demolished in 1924 to make way for a new road but the three escutcheons with coats of arms and a commemorative marble plaque which stood on the doorway were retained The parapet was also retained but it was eventually demolished after World War II when a roundabout was built in its place 3 nbsp Plinth with the battery s coats of arms and inscriptionToday the only remains of the battery are the coats of arms and plaque which formerly stood on the doorway These are mounted on a plinth on the side of the road 4 In addition the foundations possibly still exist buried under the modern road 3 The plinth containing the coats of arms and inscription is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands 3 Further reading editSpiteri Stepehen C 1994 Fortresses of the Cross Hospitaller Military Architecture 1136 1798 Heritage Interpretation Services p 519 ISBN 9789990996531 References edit San Pawl il Baħar lc gov mt Archived from the original on 7 March 2016 a b Mizzi John A 4 June 2012 The Dellija redoubt Times of Malta Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 a b c Vendome Battery Pwales PDF National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands 28 June 2013 Archived from the original PDF on 24 January 2016 Mallia Oliver 30 January 2012 Delija coat of arms Times of Malta Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Notes a b Sometimes described as a redoubt External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dellia Battery National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands dead link Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dellia Battery amp oldid 1136589156, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
