Naxxar Entrenchment
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Naxxar Entrenchment
| native_name = Trunċiera fin-Naxxar
| image = Part of the Naxxar Entrenchment v-shaped.jpeg
| caption = One of the redans of the Naxxar Entrenchment
| map = Naxxar Entrenchment map.png
| image_mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Map of the Naxxar Entrenchment
| type = Entrenchment
| coordinates = {{coord|35|55|27.5|N|14|26|18|E|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| ownership = Government of Malta
| controlledby =
| open_to_public =
| built = 1722
| used =
| builder = Order of Saint John
| materials = Limestone
| height =
| condition = Ruins
| battles =
| events =
}}
The Naxxar Entrenchment ({{langx|mt|Trunċiera tan-Naxxar}}) is an infantry entrenchment in Naxxar, Malta, which was built in the 18th century by the Order of Saint John. Today, it lies in ruins but is still the best preserved inland entrenchment in Malta. It is a list monument of the NICPMI.{{Cite web| title=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands - Naxxar Entrenchment | url=https://culture.gov.mt/en/culturalheritage/NICPMI_Database/1427.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621210215/https://culture.gov.mt/en/culturalheritage/NICPMI_Database/1427.pdf | archive-date=2019-06-21}}
History
The Naxxar Entrenchment is part of a series of fortifications built by the Order of Saint John in the early 18th century. The building programme began in 1714-16 with the construction of coastal batteries, redoubts and coastal entrenchments. By 1722, it was realized that there weren't enough soldiers to man all the fortifications, so the Order decided that in the case of an invasion, they would retreat to the Great Fault, a large fault cutting across northern Malta.{{cite web|title=Inland Entenchments|url=http://www.maltamilitary.0catch.com/html/inland_entenchments.html|website=maltamilitary.0catch.com|accessdate=13 September 2015|archive-date=18 January 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040118055931/http://www.maltamilitary.0catch.com/html/inland_entenchments.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url= https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/handle/123456789/23413/GrimaVassallo2008.pdf |title=Narrating the Mġarr landscape |first1=Reuben |last1=Grima |first2=Mario |last2=Vassallo |accessdate=2019-05-06}}
To be able to do this, construction was begun on a series of entrenchments close to the fault. These entrenchments were similar to the ones built around the coastline, with the main difference being that they were inland. The Naxxar Entrenchment was built on the high ground of the Great Fault, while other entrenchments were built at Falca Gap, San Pawl tat-Tarġa and other strategic locations.{{cite web|last1=Debono|first1=Charles|title=Coastal Entrenchments|url=http://www.mellieha.com/places_interest/fortifications/coastal_entre.htm|website=Mellieha.com|accessdate=13 September 2015|archive-date=18 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218010803/http://www.mellieha.com/places_interest/fortifications/coastal_entre.htm|url-status=dead}}
The entrenchment, which consisted of four redans linked together by curtain walls, was built in 1722. It was built in the pietra a secco manner.{{cite web|title=Naxxar Entrenchment|url=http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1427.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810093602/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1427.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 10, 2016|website=National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands|accessdate=13 September 2015|date=28 June 2013}} A ditch was also excavated along the entrenchment.{{cite web|work=Naxxar Local Council|title=Other Places of Interest|url=http://www.lc.gov.mt/page.aspx?catid=17&pid=195&lid=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328102505/http://www.lc.gov.mt/page.aspx?catid=17&pid=195&lid=1|archive-date=28 March 2017}}
The entrenchment was incorporated into the Victoria Lines by the British.{{cite web|last1=Spiteri|first1=Stephen C.|title=Naxxar and its fortifications|url=http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/naxxar-and-its-fortifications.html|website=MilitaryArchitecture.com|accessdate=13 September 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116055119/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Fortifications/naxxar-and-its-fortifications.html|archivedate=16 January 2016}}
Present day
Today, the entrenchment lies in ruins, but it is considered to be the best preserved inland entrenchment in Malta. Most of the curtain walls had collapsed by the 1970s, but the redans remain largely intact. Part of the entrenchment is breached by Triq is-Salina, the road leading to Magħtab and Salina.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/knights-era-fortification-elements-merged-with-the-victoria-lines.860977|title=Knights' era fortification elements merged with the Victoria Lines}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Naxxar Entrenchment}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160810093602/http://www.culturalheritage.gov.mt/filebank/inventory/Knights%20Fortifications/1427.pdf National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands]
Category:Fortifications in Malta
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1722
Category:Hospitaller fortifications in Malta
Category:Limestone buildings in Malta
Category:National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
Category:18th-century fortifications