British military architecture in Malta

Abstract

Once the greatest naval base in the world, her mighty warships steaming in and out of the Grand Harbour, Malta has displayed her role in the military architecture that was essential for the sustenance of that great fleet and its essential supplies, extending a magnificent tradition of architectural expression fashioned by the Knights of St. John so that the very shape of the Maltese skyline reflects the great role she has played in history. Over the years Britain spent more on the maintenance and security of her Mediterranean bases than upon anywhere else abroad in her empire, and the pivot of defence was Malta. The forts and guns she built there were the latest in design and specification using the the expertise of her military engineers and gunners to the full. Thus they stand as monuments as important, both visually and historically, as the great bastions and curtain walls built by the Knights. A knowledge of their design will promote a growing public interest in their persevering and in promoting this knowledge no one has been more persevering and effective than Stephen Spiteri. His earlier books on the fortifications of Malta have been milestones in the art of communication, his brilliant drawings elucidating the most elaborate technical developments so that the purpose of a line of fortifications becomes immediately clear to any reader. Ass to that a lucid text and we have been fortunate in having had made available to us a series of books that make clear to anyone the most elaborate engineering fabrications. Stephen Spiteri's new book, British Military Architecture in Malta, takes us further into the details of British fortifications and ordnance, tracing the role of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean, the steps that were taken to safeguard Malta when the fleet, of necessity had to be away from the place, the army that stood guard in its temporary absence, and the guns and forts it soldiers manned. With wonderful drawings it brings to life a long and important liaison between Malta and Britain and should find enthusiastic readers beyond the shores of that island.