⚔️ The Coastal Batteries of Malta, Comino & Gozo
During the early 18th century, under Grand Master António Manoel de Vilhena of the Order of St John, Malta saw a wave of new coastal fortifications added to its already strong network of towers and redoubts.
Purpose: Built to protect bays and landing places from enemy ships and pirate incursions. Batteries were designed to mount heavy cannons on sea-facing platforms, providing concentrated fire across vulnerable approaches.
Construction period: Mainly 1714–1740.
Design features: A semi-circular or polygonal gun platform facing the sea. A blockhouse or casemate to house troops and store ammunition. Sometimes surrounded by a ditch (moat), with a drawbridge or gate for access. Could hold between 2 and 10 cannons, depending on size and location.
Comino Battery Sites
Gozo Battery Sites
| Name | Location | Date Built | Built By | Current Status |
| St Anthony’s Battery | Qala, | 1731-1732 | Order of Saint John | Restored |
| Qolla l-Bajda Battery | Between Marsalforn Bay and Qbajjar Bay | 1714–1715 | Order of Saint John | Neglected |
| Ramla Bay Batteries | Ramla Bay | 1715–1716 | Order of Saint John | Ruins |
Malta Battery Sites
| Name | Location | Date Built | Built By | Current Status | ||||
| Arrias Battery | Xemxija | 1715 | Order of Saint John | Intact, used as a restaurant | ||||
| Cambridge Battery | Sliema | 1878–1886 | British | Intact, Restoration Planned | ||||
| Ferretti Battery | Birzebbugia | 1715 | Order of Saint John | Intact, used as a restaurant | ||||
| Delle Grazie Battery | Xgħajra | 1888–1893 | British | Intact, used as scout headquarters | ||||
| Mistra Battery | Mellieha | 1761 | Order of Saint John | Intact, restored | ||||
| Pembroke Battery | Pembroke | 1897-1899 | British | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| Pinto Battery | Birzebbuga | 1715–1716 | Order of Saint John | Altered and now a bar, Neglected | ||||
| Rihama Battery | Marsascala | 1714 | Order of Saint John | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| San Giovanni QF Battery | Swieqi | 1884–1887 | British | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| St Paul’s Battery | Marsaxlokk | 1881–1886 | British | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| Vendôme Battery | Mellieha | 1714-1716 | Order of Saint John | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| Westreme Battery | Mellieha | 1714-1716 | Order of Saint John | Blockhouse intact, gun platform destroyed | ||||
| Wied Musa Battery | Mellieha | 1714-1716 | Order of Saint John | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| Wolseley Battery | Marsaxlokk | 1897–1899 | British | Intact, Neglected | ||||
| Żonqor Battery | Marsascala | 1882 | British | Intact, Neglected |