Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt
{{Short description|Redoubt in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, limits of Naxxar, Malta}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt
| native_name = Ridott ta' Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq
| location = Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, Naxxar, Malta
| image = Bahar ic-Caghaq in 2017 03.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = View of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt from the coast
| map = Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt map.png
| image_mapsize = 300px
| map_caption = Map of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt
| type = Redoubt
| coordinates = {{coord|35|56|23.5|N|14|27|20.9|E|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| ownership = Government of Malta
| controlledby = Private tenant
| open_to_public = Yes (as a bar/restaurant)
| built = 1715–1716
| used =
| builder = Order of Saint John
| materials = Limestone
| height =
| condition = Intact
| battles =
| events =
}}
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt ({{langx|mt|Ridott ta' Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq}}) is a redoubt in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, within the limits of Naxxar, Malta. It was built in 1715–1716 by the Order of Saint John as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.{{cite journal|last1=Zammit|first1=Vincent|title=The Order's 18th Century Fortifications|journal=Civilization|date=1984|volume=1|page=170|publisher=PEG Ltd|location=Ħamrun}} Today, the redoubt still exists in relatively good condition.
It is also known as Vendôme Redoubt ({{langx|mt|Ridott ta' Vendôme}}) or Madliena Redoubt ({{langx|mt|Ridott tal-Madliena}}).{{cite web |title=Environment Protection Directorate (MEPA) Report on EIA – Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) |url=http://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=8600 |website=MEPA |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113716/http://www.mepa.org.mt/file.aspx?f=8600 |archivedate=4 March 2016 |page=21 |date=July 2012 |url-status=dead }}
History
Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt was built in 1715–1716 as part of the first building programme of redoubts in Malta. The nearest fortifications to the redoubt were Qalet Marku Battery to the northwest (now demolished) and Madliena Tower to the east. The redoubt was originally linked to the latter tower by an entrenchment, but very little remains of this have survived.{{cite web|title=Madliena Entrenchment|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1423.pdf|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|accessdate=22 August 2015|date=28 June 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225025718/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1423.pdf|archivedate=25 December 2015}}
The redoubt consists of a pentagonal platform with short flanks and a low parapet, with a rectangular blockhouse located at the centre of its gorge. The blockhouse is divided into two rooms, with the larger room containing the main entrance.
In World War II, a defensive position was built on the salient of the redoubt.{{cite web|title=Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Redoubt |url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1403.pdf |website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands |accessdate=22 August 2015 |date=28 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124153005/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1403.pdf |archivedate=24 January 2016 }}
Present day
Today, the redoubt is still in relatively good condition. It is leased to a private tenant and is used as a bar and restaurant named Las Palmas.{{cite news|last1=Debono|first1=James|title=MEPA clamps down on restaurant in 18th century fort|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/40076/mepa_clamps_down_on_restaurant_in_18th_century_fort_#.VY6RVPmqqkq|accessdate=27 June 2015|work=The Malta Independent|date=18 June 2014}}Debono, James (18 June 2014). [http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/40076/mepa_clamps_down_on_restaurant_in_18th_century_fort_#.Vu8LXPB4WrU MEPA clamps down on restaurant in 18th century fort]. Malta Today. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
Gallery
Bahar_ic-Caghaq_Redoubt_used_as_restaurant.jpeg|The redoubt as viewed from the landward side. The white building is the blockhouse.
Bahar_ic-Caghaq_Redoubt_interior.jpeg|Interior of the redoubt
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160124153005/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1403.pdf National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]
{{Redoubts}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bahar ic-Caghaq Redoubt}}
Category:Hospitaller fortifications in Malta
Category:Military installations established in 1715
Category:World War II sites in Malta
Category:Limestone buildings in Malta
Category:National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
Category:18th-century fortifications
Category:1715 establishments in Malta
Category:18th Century military history of Malta
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