Elminiech Battery (Maltese: Batterija t'Elminiech, corrupted into Batterija ta' Mnieħ), also known as Figuella Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' Figuella), San Raimondo Battery (Maltese: Batterija ta' San Raimond)[1] or Oitelboura Battery,[2] was an artillery battery in Birżebbuġa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–16 as part of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands.[3]
| Elminiech Battery | |
|---|---|
Batterija t'Elminiech | |
| Birżebbuġa, Malta | |
| Coordinates | 35°49′4.4″N 14°31′57.8″E / 35.817889°N 14.532722°E |
| Type | Artillery battery |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1715–1716 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Demolished |
Elminiech Battery was part of a chain of fortifications that defended Marsaxlokk Bay, which also included six other batteries, the large Saint Lucian Tower, two smaller De Redin towers, four redoubts and three entrenchments.[4] The nearest fortifications to Elminiech Battery were the Birżebbuġa Entrenchments to the northwest and Fresnoy Redoubt to the east. Construction of the battery cost 1451 scudi.[5]
The battery was demolished, and its site is now occupied by part of the Malta Freeport.[6]