Qolla l-Bajda Battery

Qolla l-Bajda Battery is an artillery installation on the northern coast of Gozo featuring a semi-circular gun platform. The structure is protected by a parapet wall with six embrasures that allowed gunners to fire across the sea.

The Order of Saint John built this military installation between 1715 and 1716 as part of the coastal defense system. It served to guard against potential sea threats during the centuries when Mediterranean naval power remained a concern.

The battery demonstrates the military building methods of the Knights of Malta and reflects the defensive strategies pursued during naval wars in the Mediterranean. Visitors today can still see the structural remains and understand how the fortification was organized.

The site is currently abandoned and not set up for public visits, but the ruins remain visible from outside. Best visited during clear weather when the coastal paths are safe to walk.

During the 1970s, the fortification was converted into a nightclub called Rook, which led to alterations of its original structure. This unusual transformation left traces that remain visible today.

Location: Żebbuġ Gozo

Inception: 1715

GPS coordinates: 36.07983,14.25128

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:09