Balbani Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Balbani), also known as Bengħisa Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Bengħisa) or Saint Catherine's Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Santa Katarina),[1] was an artillery battery in Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John on commands by Grand Master Manuel Pinto da Fonseca and was completed in 1721.[2] The battery was named for Cristoforo Balbani, who partially financed its construction.[3] It was one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.[4]
Balbani Battery was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Marsaxlokk Bay, which also included six other batteries, the large Saint Lucian Tower, two smaller De Redin towers, four redoubts and three entrenchments.[3] The nearest fortifications to Balbani Battery were Bengħisa Tower to the south and Fresnoy Redoubt to the west. Construction of the battery cost 1,855 scudi.[5] The mastermind of the battery was architect Burlemarch and at its completion it was armed with eight cannons.[2] It had a pentagonal platform with a blockhouse at the rear, which was also defended by a redan.[6]
The battery was demolished, and its site is now occupied by part of the Malta Freeport.[7] The land where it was is still called Ta' Balbani for the battery.[3]
References
^Farrugia Randon, Stanley (2015). Heritage Saved – Din l-Art Ħelwa – 1965–2015. Luqa: Miller Distributors Ltd. p. 119. ISBN9789995752132.
^ abGuillaumier, Alfie (2005). Bliet u Rħula Maltin. Vol. 2. Klabb Kotba Maltin. p. 93. ISBN99932-39-40-2.
