Delimara Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delimara Tower & Battery |
|
|---|---|
| Torri u Batterija ta' Delimara | |
| Part of the De Redin towers | |
| Marsaxlokk, Malta | |
 |
|
| Coordinates | 35°49′13.5″N 14°33′39.5″E / 35.820417°N 14.560972°E |
| Type | Coastal watchtower Artillery battery |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1659 (tower) 1793 (battery) |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Demolished |
The Delimara Tower (also known as Torri ta' Delimara in Maltese) was a small watchtower located on the Delimara Peninsula in Marsaxlokk, Malta. It was built in 1659. This tower was one of many De Redin towers built to protect the coast. An artillery battery was added near it in 1793. Sadly, both the tower and the battery are no longer standing today.
Contents
Building the Delimara Tower
The Delimara Tower was built in 1659. It stood at the very tip of Delimara Point. The tower was part of a series of towers known as the De Redin towers. These towers were built by the Order of Saint John. Their main job was to watch over the coast of Malta.
How the Tower Looked
The Delimara Tower followed the usual design of the De Redin towers. It had a square shape and two floors. There was also a small turret on its roof. A special feature of this tower was its machicolations. These were openings at the top of the walls. They allowed defenders to drop things like rocks on attackers below.
The tower also had a large support structure called a buttress at its base. This suggests that the tower might have had some weak spots in its structure. A similar buttress can still be seen at Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower today.
Why Delimara Tower Was Important
The Delimara Tower played a key role in Malta's coastal defense. From its location, it could see other important towers. To the northeast, it had a clear view of Xrobb l-Għaġin Tower. To the southwest, it could see Bengħisa Tower. This network of towers helped them communicate quickly. They could warn each other if enemy ships were approaching.
In 1793, a mortar battery was built very close to the tower. A battery is a place where artillery (large guns) are set up. This addition made the area even stronger for defense.
Why the Tower Was Demolished
Both the Delimara Tower and its nearby battery were later taken down. This happened when the British took control of Malta. The British needed to build a new, larger fort called Fort Delimara. To make sure the new fort's guns had a clear shot, they removed the old tower and battery. This cleared the way for the new defenses.
See also
- De Redin towers
- Fort Delimara
