Qala Battery

a battery building in the background with green landscape in the foreground

The Qala Battery is found on a remote location at the very edge of Eastern Gozo. The official name is Saint Anthony’s Battery. The purpose of this battery was to protect the channel between Gozo and Comino. Its main task was to attack any ship that posed a threat towards other ships, or if it attempts to dock with the island. 

coat of arms on a battery

The battery was built by the Order of St. John in 1730. Over the front door you will see the Coat of Arms of Grand Master De Vilhena. The fortification was part of the Coastal Fortification Project to protect the island from pirate raids. 

The construction design consists of a semi circular gun platform facing the sea. The front is in a semi hexagon shape with two block houses. Thick walls and musket loopholes prevent landward attack on the building.

the entrance door of a fortified battery with muskets loopholes

During its active time, the battery hosted three 8 ponder guns, and eight 6 ponder guns ready to shoot toward any approaching pirate ship.

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