St. Mary Battery, Artillery battery in Għajnsielem, Malta
St. Mary Battery is a coastal fortification in Għajnsielem featuring a semicircular gun platform with eight embrasures pointing seaward for defense. The blockhouse structure and defensive walls remain visible today, showing how the installation was organized to monitor and protect the shoreline.
The fortress was built in 1715 by the Knights Hospitaller as a coastal defense position and equipped with multiple cannons of different calibers. It formed part of the island's broader defensive network protecting against sea-based threats of that era.
The site takes its name from a religious dedication that reflects Malta's deep connection to Christian tradition and local history. Visitors can see how this cultural identity remains woven into the place's naming and its role in the island's collective memory.
The site underwent comprehensive restoration from 1996 to 2004, including blockhouse roof repairs and recovery of historical cannons. Access may vary depending on restoration status and site conditions, so it is worth checking local information before planning a visit.
Two original 24-pounder cannons lay hidden inside the battery for decades until they were recovered in 1997 by the Armed Forces of Malta and the Royal Navy from a nearby gorge. This unexpected discovery reveals how pieces of the island's military past remained concealed for generations.
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