Ricasoli, Malta – History of a Fort
This book presents a military and social history of the largest fort in Malta. Fort Ricasoli, whose construction dates back to 1670, is situated at the mouth of Malta’s Grand Harbour. Aspects of the building of this fine example of baroque military architecture, as well as everyday life in this eighteenth century fort of the Hospitaller knights of St John are depicted. General Napoleon Bonaparte first landed in Malta at Ricasoli steps. The French troops, in great want of anything, withstood a siege there by the Maltese insurgents for two years.
A regiment made up of Balkan troops rebelled against British direction in Fort Ricasoli in 1807 and threatened to bombard Valletta. In 1837, four hundred old people died within one month after that they had been transferred there, when cholera infected them. During the Second World War Ricasoli, together with Fort Saint Elmo, repulsed an attack by an Italian light flotilla.
Since it was passed on to the Malta Government in 1964, Ricasoli has only been partly used for short periods, and it suffers from negligence and abandon. Fort Ricasoli merits a better future by being put to use. It needs to be restored. Ricasoli should not be allowed to fall.
By: Anton Quintano
Format: paperback
No of pages: 260
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