Della Grazie Battery

35°53′9″N 14°32′58″E / 35.88583°N 14.54944°E / 35.88583; 14.54944TypePolygonal artillery batteryArea28,400 m² (306,000 sq ft)^[1]Site informationOwnerLands AuthorityControlled byUnder management agreement for The Scouts Association of Malta - Xgħajra Scout GroupOpen to
the publicNoConditionIntact - Under restorationSite historyBuilt1888–1893Built byBritish EmpireIn use1893–1910
1940sMaterialsLimestoneBattles/warsWorld War II

Della Grazie Battery (Maltese: Il-Batterija tal-Grazzja), also known as Xgħajra Battery (Maltese: Il-Batterija tax-Xgħajra), is an artillery battery in Xgħajra, Malta. It was built by the British between 1888 and 1893. The battery stands above the shore to the east of Grand Harbour, between Fort Saint Rocco and Fort Saint Leonardo. It is currently being used by the Xgħajra Scout Group as their main headquarters and campsite, and part of it is used as the town hall for Xgħajra.

History

Construction of the battery started in October 1888 and was completed in March 1893, at a cost of £16,344. It was constructed to take advantage of the improved breech loading guns then coming into service. It was equipped with two 6 inch and two 10 inch breech loading guns in disappearing mounts.

The installation takes the form of a polygonal fort, irregular hexagonal in plan, with two caponiers defending the forward ditches. Access to the fort is via a gatehouse and causeway across the rear ditch.

The battery takes its name from the much earlier Wignacourt tower, the Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower that stood close to the present battery. The tower was demolished to clear the field of fire of the present battery.

The battery was abandoned in 1910 and its guns were removed.^[2] However, in World War II the battery was used as a coastal defence search light battery. At this time some structures were added to accommodate the searchlights.^[3]

Present day

The battery is currently managed and maintained under an agreement with the Xgħajra Scout Group. The restoration of the battery is being funded by the Group's finances and fundraising efforts. In the near future, the Scout's plan is to fully restore the battery and open it to the public.

The Xgħajra Scout Group has established a subcommittee called "At the Fort." This initiative was conceived to gradually revitalise the Delle Grazie battery. The 'At the Fort' committee is dedicated to meticulously planning and executing events that allow the public to visit and explore the fort. The proceeds from these events support the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the battery.

Gallery

The gallery below shows views on an anti-clockwise tour of the exterior of the fort. The rear section of the left hand ditch and the right half or the rear ditch are private property and inaccessible to photograph.

Layout of the Battery, detail from a sign beside the gate.
The modern gate that closes off the causeway.
looking down the rear ditch away from the causeway.
Looking along the rear ditch towards the causeway, where the musket ports that command the rear ditch, can be seen.
The corner of the ditch, where the right hand ditch and the rear ditch meet
Looking towards the rear of the battery along the right hand ditch.
Looking down the forward ditch, along the line of fire of the right hand caponier.
View along the forward ditch looking towards the right hand caponier.
View along the forward ditch towards the left hand caponier in the distance.
Looking into the battery across the forward ditch.
The bomb proof roof of the left hand caponier.
Looking down the left hand ditch of the battery, with the left caponier nestling in the ditch.

References

^ "The American University of Malta - Preliminary Alternative Sites Evaluation Report" (PDF). Office of the Prime Minister. August 2015. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2015.
^ Forrest, Michael. "Della Grazie Battery 1888-1893". Victorian Forts and Artillery. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
^ "General Xghajra History". Xgħajra Local Council. Archived from the original on 2008-03-24.