VICTORIAN MILITARY LEGACY
When the British first came to Malta, they were quite impressed at the large variety of fortifications and batteries built during the Knight's period (1530-1798).
Malta was established as a British Colony in 1813/14, becoming an integral part of the Empire's maritime trade routes. After Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo a year later, many decades of war in Europe came to an end.
With no immediate threat of attack, the majority of extant fortifications were left unmanned and poorly maintained.
The situation changed in the 1860s as a result of Italy's Unification, and its plans to build a proper military fleet. This led the British authorities to charge a commission of military engineers with the task of examining all local fortifications and determine Malta's readiness in case of war.
The Commission was also to devise an action plan for the renovation of all military structures deemed worthy of serving to defend the islands and propose new sites and strategies with this aim.
This led to several recommendations being made. The Commission noted that most of the Knight's Coastal batteries and several other structures were of very limited use, with most having fallen into such disrepair, that newer fortifications in more strategic points were necessary.
As a result, an ambitious programme was put into place with a large number of new forts and batteries springing up across Malta.
Two Batteries armed with 100-Ton Armstrong Guns were established on either side of the Grand Harbour.
A series of powerful forts were built in the South of the Island, guarding bays such as Marsaxlokk and Marsascala.
The North of Malta, beyond the Natural Fault (Targa), was deemed impossible to defend due to its geographic characteristics and many beaches.
Despite this a small number of outposts and entrenchments were established in Mellieha and other bays.
The Commission had taken note of a Knight's period line of bastions built on the natural fault around Mosta, facing north, known locally as ta' Falka Lines. This inspired them to propose an extensive series of linked fortifications over the natural fault from one tip of the coast to another.
A huge endeavour and mighty task, the lines were built over a span of 30 years and named the Victoria Lines.
Despite the cost, effort and sacrifices made, military exercises held to test the efficacy of these defences proved them to be mostly ineffective. Most outposts along the line were hence decommissioned and duly abandoned, soon after the last stone had been laid.
The linked pages below are concerned with the different segments and fortifications constituting this impressive line of defence.