Tal-Bir Redoubt

Tal-Bir Redoubt (Maltese: Ridott tal-Bir), also known as Wied Musa Redoubt (Maltese: Ridott ta' Wied Musa),^[1] is a redoubt in the limits of Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1715–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. Today, the redoubt lies in ruins.

Tal-Bir Redoubt
Ridott tal-Bir
Mellieħa, Malta
Ruins of Tal-Bir Redoubt
Site information
Type	Redoubt
Owner	Government of Malta
Condition	Ruins
Location
Map of the remains of Tal-Bir Redoubt
Coordinates	35°59′8.9″N 14°20′47.4″E
Site history
Built	1715–1716
Built by	Order of Saint John
Materials	Limestone

History

Tal-Bir Redoubt was built in 1715–1716 as part of the first building programme of coastal fortifications in Malta. It was part of a chain of fortifications that defended the northern coast of Malta, which also included Aħrax Tower, several batteries, redoubts and entrenchments. The nearest fortifications to Tal-Bir Redoubt are Wied Musa Battery to the west and Qortin Redoubt to the east.

The redoubt originally consisted of a pentagonal platform with a low parapet. A rectangular blockhouse was located at the centre of its gorge. It was not armed with any artillery.

Construction of Tal-Bir Redoubt cost around 1213.8.4.3 scudi.^[2]

Present day

Today, the redoubt is almost completely destroyed.^[3] Only remains of the pentagonal platform and part of its counterscarp still exist.^[2]