Briconet Redoubt
| Briconet Redoubt | |
|---|---|
| Ridott ta' Briconet | |
| Marsaskala, Malta | |
| 300px
View of Briconet Redoubt
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| 300px
Map of Briconet Redoubt
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Type | Redoubt |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Controlled by | Police Department Scout Association of Malta |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Intact |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Żejtun Regiment |
Briconet Redoubt (Maltese: Ridott ta' Briconet), also known as Vendome Entrenchment (Maltese: It-Trunciera ta' Vendomu) and Marsaskala Redoubt (Maltese: Ridott ta' Marsaskala), is a redoubt in Marsaskala, Malta. It was built in 1715 by the Order of Saint John as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. Until recently, the redoubt was used as a police station.
History
Briconet Redoubt was built in 1715 as part of the first building programme of coastal batteries and redoubts in Malta. It formed part of the defences of Marsaskala Bay, which also included the large St. Thomas Tower and Battery and the now-demolished Żonqor Tower.[1]
Briconet Redoubt's structure is typical of most other coastal redoubts built in Malta. It consists of a pentagonal platform having short flanks, and a rectangular blockhouse sealing off the gorge. Unlike other redoubts, the gorge and flanks have high boundary walls pierced by musketry loopholes. These were built to defend the redoubt from a landward attack, since it is overlooked by high ground.[2]
Construction of the redoubt cost 768 scudi. These were paid by the knight Giovanni Battista Briconet, and the redoubt was named in his honour. The redoubt was initially garrisoned by militia from Żejtun.[3] It was armed with two canons.[4]
Present day
Today, Briconet Redoubt is still intact and in good condition, being one of the best preserved redoubts in Malta.[3] A few modern modifications have been made, such as the opening of a small doorway on one of its faces to enable access from the modern road. However, the redoubt is surrounded by modern buildings, including the parish church.[5] These have completely blocked its relation with the sea.
Until recently, the redoubt was used as the Marsaskala Police Station.[6]
References
- ↑ Guillaumier, Alfie (2005). Bliet u Rħula Maltin. Volume 2. Klabb Kotba Maltin. p. 154-155. ISBN 99932-39-40-2, ISBN 99932-39-41-0.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Guillaumier, Alfie (2005). Bliet u Rħula Maltin. Volume 2. Klabb Kotba Maltin. p. 955. ISBN 99932-39-40-2, ISBN 99932-39-41-0.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]. |
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles containing Maltese-language text
- Commons category link from Wikidata
- Redoubts in Malta
- Castles and fortifications of the Knights Hospitaller
- Buildings and structures completed in 1715
- Police stations in Malta
- Defunct police stations
- Marsaskala
- Limestone buildings in Malta
- National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
