Sta Magherita Lines

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The Sta Magherita Lines are a fortification in Malta. They were designed by Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuola . Its construction began in 1638 under the rule of the Grand Master Jean de Lascaris-Castellar and was not completed until the 18th century.

Sta Magherita Lines, sketch

During the Great Siege of 1565 , the cities of Birgu and Senglea were shelled by Turkish artillery from the Sta Magherita Heights to the east. Although an inspection of the fortifications in 1635 revealed that the need for repairs was still acceptable, the unfavorable location of the city fortifications was recognized. It was therefore inevitable to move the land-based fortifications of the cities further south and include the aforementioned mountain ranges. A corresponding proposal was made by the fortress builder Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuola. At the same time, space was gained for urban expansion. The town of Cospicua later emerged between Birgu and Senglea and the Sta Magherita Lines . The area enclosed by the lines is approx. 800 m wide and approx. 600 m deep. The Sta Magherita Lines consisted of a wall made of quarry stone, which was provided with a total of six bastions. The central part of the fortification was expanded to Fort Verdala during the British occupation .

Originally called Firenzuolas Lines, the foundation stone was laid on December 30, 1638 by the Grand Master Jean de Lascaris-Castellar . In 1645 the construction had to be interrupted, although the fortifications were only half finished. In the meantime, the construction of the Cotonera Lines had started. However, the construction costs were so enormous - a total of 1,400,000 Scudi - that Grand Master Gregorio Carafa ordered the construction to be discontinued. With the saved finances, existing or already started fastenings should instead be expanded or completed. The construction of the Sta Magherita Lines was resumed in 1697 by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful , continued in 1720 under Marc'Antonio Zondadari and finally completed in 1736, after 98 years of construction, by Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena . The construction costs amounted to 70,000 Scudi.

See also

literature

  • Ernle Bradford : The Shield of Europe . Ullstein Buchverlag, ISBN 3-548-34912-9 (from the English, title of the original edition The Great Siege, Malta 1565 )
  • Charles Stephenson: "The Fortifications of Malta 1530-1945", Osprey Publishing Limited, 2004, ISBN 1-84176-836-7
  • Denis Castillo: "The Maltese Cross, a Strategic History of Malta"

Web links