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Wied Musa Battery (( マルタ語:Batterija ta' Wied Musa)), also known as Swatar Battery (( マルタ語:Batterija tas-Swatar)), is a former artillery battery in Marfa, limits of Mellieħa, Malta. It was built by the Order of Saint John in 1714–1716 as one of a series of coastal fortifications around the Maltese Islands. In the 19th century, the battery was converted into the Marfa Palace Hotel, and it is also known as Palazz l-Aħmar (Red Palace). The structure was extensively modified in the process, and its blockhouse was incorporated into new buildings. Despite this, the parapet is still intact and is among the best preserved gun platforms in Malta. ==History== Wied Musa Battery was built in 1714–1716 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 fortification to Wied Musa Battery is Tal-Bir Redoubt to the east. Wied Musa Battery also commanded the South Comino Channel in conjunction with Saint Mary's Battery on the island of Comino. The battery originally consisted of a semi-circular gun platform with a parapet having four embrasures. It had a rectangular blockhouse closing its gorge, which was also protected by a redan. Construction of the battery cost 938 scudi, one third of which were donated by Commander Mongontier. In 1785, its armament consisted of four 8-pounder guns. Its ammunition was stored in the nearby Saint Agatha's Tower. In the 19th century, a hotel was built on the rear of the battery. The blockhouse was incorporated into the new structure, and the redan was demolished. The hotel and battery were later used as a retreat house and as a police station. The structure fell into disuse in the 1990s, and it was illegally occupied by squatters. They were evicted after a fire broke out in 2005, and the hotel and battery have remained abandoned ever since.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wied Musa Battery」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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