Windmill Redoubt

Windmill Redoubt (Maltese: Ridott tal-Mitħna) was a redoubt in Żabbar, Malta. It was built by Maltese insurgents during the French blockade of 1798–1800. It was part of a chain of batteries, redoubts and entrenchments encircling the French positions in Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour.

Windmill Redoubt
Ridott tal-Mitħna
Part of the French blockade batteries
Żabbar, Malta
Reconstruction of the Windmill Redoubt by Stephen C. Spiteri at the Fortifications Interpretation Centre
Map of the Windmill Redoubt
Coordinates	35°52′10.7″N 14°31′37.9″E
Type	Redoubt
Site history
Built	c. 1798
Built by	Maltese insurgents
In use	c. 1798–1800
Materials	Limestone
Fate	Demolished
Battles/wars	Siege of Malta (1798–1800)

The redoubt was built around a windmill known as Bir Għeliem, or Ta' Buleben, which had been built by Ramon Perellos y Roccaful in around 1710.[1] The redoubt was located on the road between Żabbar and Tarxien, and was also linked to the road to Żejtun. The redoubt was built using rubble walls, and had a triangular shape, and was built in a way so as to block the roads between the three villages. The windmill occupied the south side of the redoubt, and was used as a blockhouse. The windmill's tower served as a lookout post. No details are known about the size of the garrison and the armament of the redoubt.[2]

Bir Għeliem Windmill

The Windmill Redoubt was probably demolished soon after the end of the blockade since it blocked important roads. The windmill itself still exists, with some modifications, and it now stands on the middle of a roundabout.[2]

References

1. "Bir Gheliem Windmill / Ta ' Buleben Windmill". The Malta Windmill Database. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
2. Spiteri, Stephen C. (May 2008). "Maltese 'siege' batteries of the blockade 1798-1800" (PDF). Arx - Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification (6): 30–31. Retrieved 30 March 2015.

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