Windmill Redoubt ( mt, Ridott tal-Mitħna) was a
redoubt
A redoubt (historically redout) is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, although some are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect sold ...
in
Żabbar,
Malta
Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
. 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
Marsamxett Harbour (), historically also referred to as Marsamuscetto, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It is located to the north of the larger Grand Harbour. The harbour is generally more dedicated to leisure use than the Grand Ha ...
and the
Grand Harbour
The Grand Harbour ( mt, il-Port il-Kbir; it, Porto Grande), also known as the Port of Valletta, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been substantially modified over the years with extensive docks ( Malta Dockyard), wharves, a ...
.
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.
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.
[
]
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
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island, and priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction.''The New Shorter Oxford E ...
.
References
Redoubts in Malta
Windmills in Malta
Żabbar
Military installations established in 1798
Demolished buildings and structures in Malta
French occupation of Malta
Vernacular architecture in Malta
Limestone buildings in Malta
1798 establishments in Malta
18th-century fortifications
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