Saint George Redoubt, Military redoubt in Birżebbuġa, Malta.
Saint George Redoubt is a fortress built in a half-circle shape with walls, loopholes for gunfire, and a low defensive platform facing the water. Inside you find a chapel, gun emplacements, and storage areas designed to protect this strategic coastal position.
The Knights built this coastal defense around 1714-1716 to guard against sea attacks as part of their broader strategy for the islands. Decades later, specialized stone-throwing devices were positioned behind the walls to strengthen its firepower against approaching vessels.
A chapel inside honors Saint George and displays a painting of him fighting the dragon, mirroring artwork found in the city's cathedral. The religious space reflects the spiritual role fortifications played in the daily life of those who garrisoned and visited this place.
You can reach it by walking along the waterfront area near recreational spaces, making it easy to find and visit. Bring comfortable shoes since the ground around the fortification is uneven, and the sun exposure is strong throughout the day.
Two specialized stone-throwing machines called fougasses were installed behind the walls after the 1740s. These unusual weapons could launch large stone fragments at attacking ships and represent an inventive defense solution that went beyond standard cannon fire.
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