Delle Grazie Battery
Photo : Clint Galea
The concept of the Delle Grazie Battery was considered in 1885, primarily for the installation of 6-inch guns between Fort Ricasoli and Fort Rinella. However, the proposal was not pursued, necessitating the identification of an alternative location. The preferred site was near the old Santa Maria delle Grazie Coastal Tower. This watchtower, constructed in 1620 under the command of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, was the last of the six Wignacourt Towers to be built. The site situated was highly suitable for the proposed armament which consisted of two 10-inch and two 6-inch BL guns, with the construction expected to remain concealed. This concept was fully support and proposed arrangement for their installation.​​
Approval for the construction of the battery was granted on May 31, 1888, and work commenced in October 1889.​​
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The battery was enclosed by a narrow ditch featuring a vertical scarp and a sloping counterscarp wall, carved directly from the rock.
Flanking defenses on the land front were provided by a bridge equipped with musketry embrasures. The loopholed parapet was designed with a stepped masonry banquette, allowing soldiers to fire through the embrasures and effectively enfilade the ditch along the rear section. The bridge served as the primary entrance to the battery and was secured by two gates, the main gate and the secondary gate which was armored and fitted with musketry loopholes. Today, the main gate remains in place, while the secondary gate has been removed.
Two bulbous caponiers that extended from the main structure into the ditch at the front of the battery. These caponiers were surrounded by a drop ditch, effectively isolating them from the main ditch. Access to the caponiers was through an internal tunnel passage, which was lined at its inner end with sidearm sheds and ammunition rooms.
