Fort Madalena
Fort Madalena | |
---|---|
Il-Fortizza tal-Madliena | |
Part of the Victoria Lines | |
Madliena, Swieqi, Malta | |
Coordinates | 35°55′51.53″N 14°27′42.5″E / 35.9309806°N 14.461806°E |
Type | Polygonal fort and artillery battery |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Malta |
Controlled by | Armed Forces of Malta St John Rescue Corps |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Intact |
Site history | |
Built | 1878–1880 |
Built by | British Empire |
In use | 1880–present |
Materials | Limestone and Concrete |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Fort Madalena, also known as Fort Madliena (Maltese: Il-Fortizza tal-Madliena), is a polygonal fort in Madliena, limits of Swieqi, Malta. It was built between 1878 and 1880 by the British as part of the Victoria Lines. The fort now falls under the responsibility of the Armed Forces of Malta and is used by the St John Rescue Corps.
History
Fort Madalena was built by the British as part of the Victoria Lines, a line of fortifications along the northern part of Malta, dividing it from the more heavily populated south. It is one of three forts built along the lines, the other two being Fort Binġemma and Fort Mosta.
Fort Madalena, which is located at the eastern extremity of the line, was second of the forts to be built. It was built on the site of a fifteenth century chapel dedicated to
In 1906, the RML 11-inch gun was replaced by
Present day
Fort Madalena is still owned by the government and it falls under the responsibility of the 4th Regiment of the Armed Forces of Malta. A VTMIS radar was installed in 2006.[4] The fort is leased to the St John Rescue Corps, a volunteer civil defence organization, and is used as their headquarters and training school.[5]
The fort is in good condition although some parts are in need of restoration.[6] It is open to the public on Saturday afternoons, or by appointment throughout the week.[7]
A wall near the fort's entrance partially collapsed during heavy rains in April 2019, and it began to be restored in June 2019.[8][9]
References
- ISBN 0313323291.
- ^ "Headquarters". St John Rescue Corps. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "FAA tour of Fort Madalena". faa.org.mt. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "Coastal VTMIS of Malta delivery anticipated ahead of schedule". transas.com. 27 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "St John Rescue Corps receives German equipment". Times of Malta. 11 December 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "Study project on Fort Madliena". Times of Malta. 18 December 2002. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "Fort Madalena". visitmalta.com. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "Fort Madliena entrance to undergo restoration works". The Malta Independent. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019.
- ^ "Fort Madliena gate undergoing restoration". Times of Malta. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019.